Top load liquid filter assembly, system, and methods

ABSTRACT

A top load liquid filter assembly includes a filter lockout mechanism to ensure that the filter base and cover are not connectable unless there is a proper filter cartridge installed therein. The filter system can also include an automatic drain mechanism and a cartridge retention mechanism. One example embodiment further includes an air bleed vent. A filter cartridge usable in the topload liquid filter assembly includes first and second protrusions and cover-gripper members. Methods of use, installing, servicing, and retaining can be practiced.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/661,921 filed Mar. 18, 2015 which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/989,351, filed 9 Mar. 2011, which issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,999,163, which is a US National Stage of PCT InternationalPatent application No. PCT/US2009/041692, filed 24 Apr. 2009 in the nameof Donaldson Company, Inc., a U.S. national corporation, applicant forthe designation of all countries except the US, and Bradley S.Honermann, John R. Hacker, Kathryn A. Legault, Mark S. Emery, KurtJoscher, and Jason Johnson, citizens of the U.S., applicants for thedesignation of the US only, and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/047,984, filed Apr. 25, 2008 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/081,593, filed Jul. 17, 2008.To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of theabove disclosed applications.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to filtration assemblies and methods. Inparticular, this disclosure relates to filter assemblies and methods foruse in liquid filtration, such as lube filters, hydraulic filters, andfuel filters.

BACKGROUND

Filters are commonly used in connection with lubrication systems andfuel systems for internal combustion engines, and hydraulic systems forheavy-duty equipment. Filters are also used in many other types ofliquid systems. In these types of systems, the filter is changedperiodically. In the art, there are at least two standard types offilters used. One type is a spin-on canister filter, while the other isa bowl-cartridge filter.

Bowl-cartridge filters typically include a reusable bowl holding areplaceable filter element (filter cartridge). Bowl-cartridge filtersare sometimes preferred instead of spin-on canister filters due todisposal or other issues. Bowl-cartridge filters are mounted onto afilter head, and liquid to be cleaned passes through the filter head,into the bowl, through the replaceable filter cartridge, out of thebowl, and back into the filter head. After a period of use, thebowl-cartridge filter is removed from the filter head, and thereplaceable filter cartridge is removed from the reusable bowl. The oldfilter cartridge is discarded and replaced with a new filter cartridge.The new filter cartridge is operably-mounted into the reusable bowl toprovide a refurbished bowl-cartridge filter. This refurbishedbowl-cartridge filter, containing the new filter cartridge, is thenmounted onto the filter head.

Some problems with existing arrangements include the mess that is causedwhen servicing the bowl-cartridge filter. That is, when the bowl isremoved from the filter head, it typically has oil, hydraulic fluid, orwhatever fluid is being filtered within it. While removing the bowl fromthe filter head, the fact that the bowl has this liquid in it can leadto spills, drips, and inconvenience regarding disposal of this liquid.Improvements in filter design are desired to deal with these issues.

Other problems include the possibility of forgetting to replace thefilter cartridge after removing the old filter cartridge. That is, afterremoving the old filter cartridge for servicing, it can be possible toreplace the bowl back onto the filter head without operably inserting anew filter cartridge. This can lead to disastrous consequences for theequipment that needs the filtration. Furthermore, when there aremultiple filter assemblies within close proximity of each other on onesystem, sometimes on a common filter head, the person servicing thefilters can sometimes get mixed-up regarding which filter assembly goeson where—putting the wrong filter assembly onto the wrong mount on thefilter head can lead to catastrophic results. Improvements to addressthese issues are desirable.

SUMMARY

To address these and other problems, in one aspect, a filter cartridgeis provided. One example filter cartridge includes a first endcapdefining a tubular wall defining an open volume. A tubular constructionof filter media is secured to the first endcap. A second endcap issecured to the filter media at an end opposite of the first endcap. Atleast a first protrusion and a second protrusion extends from thetubular wall into the open volume. The first protrusion is spaced fromthe second protrusion in a vertical direction along the wall. The firstprotrusion is circumferentially-spaced from the second protrusion alongthe wall. At least first and second cover-gripping members extend fromthe first endcap. The first and second cover-gripping members areopposed to each other and deflectable radially toward and away from eachother. The first and second cover-gripping members are constructed andarranged to mate with a portion of a cover when the filter cartridge isoperably connected to a cover.

In another aspect, a filter assembly is provided including a filter basehaving a fluid inlet arrangement and an outlet channel arrangement. Ahousing is operably connected to the filter base to extend verticallyabove the filter base. The housing includes a surrounding wall definingan interior volume, an open mouth, a base end opposite of the mouthconnected to the filter base, and a removable cover operably orientedover the mouth. A filter cartridge is removably oriented within theinterior volume of the housing. The filter cartridge includes a tubularconstruction of filter media defining an open filter interior. A porousinner filter support is oriented within the open filter interior. Thefilter support includes at least one projection extending radiallyinwardly therefrom. A basket includes at least one cantilevered leg andextends axially in a direction toward the base end of the housing. Thebasket includes a grooved wall extending axially in a direction towardthe open mouth of the housing. The basket is rotationally movable from afirst locked position in which the leg axially abuts the at least oneprojection on the filter support and an unlocked position in which theleg is free of axial abutment with the projection and permits the basketto move in a direction toward the base end of the housing. The groovedwall is constructed and arranged to rotate the basket from the firstlocked position to the unlocked position.

Preferably, there is a core piece operably oriented within the interiorof the porous inner filter support, the core piece including a post anda basket-holder. In one embodiment, the post defines an air-vent passageextending the length of the post.

In one implementation, an adaptor ring can be used around the basket.The adaptor ring defines first and second protrusions that operablyengage the basket.

In another aspect, a method of installing a filter cartridge into atopload filter assembly includes, first, a step of orienting a filtercartridge having a tubular construction of filter media into an openmouth of a filter housing. The filter housing defines a base at an endopposite of the mouth. The base defines an inlet and an outletarrangement. The filter housing has an inner filter support mountedtherein. The filter housing further has a core piece within the innerfilter support. The core piece holds a basket. Next, the method includesa step of pushing the filter cartridge against the basket to disengagethe core piece and the inner filter support. After disengaging, there isa step of axially moving both the filter cartridge and the core piecerelative to the inner filter support. Next, there is a step of operablyorienting a service cover over the mouth.

It is noted that not all the specific features described herein need tobe incorporated in an arrangement for the arrangement to have someselected advantage according to the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter system including a plurality offilter assemblies, one of which shows the filter cartridge removed froma filter bowl, constructed according to the disclosure of PCT patentapplication US 08/61539, filed on Apr. 25, 2008, commonly assigned, andincorporated herein by reference;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a filter assembly of FIG. 1 including afilter cartridge and filter bowl;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the filter assemblydepicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly depicted in FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a filter cartridge utilized in the filterassembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge depicted inFIG. 5, the cross-section being taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge ofFIGS. 5 and 6, the cross-section being taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of only the filter bowland inner assembly, with the filter cartridge being removed therefrom;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly similar to FIG.4 and highlighting a drain valve feature;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the region of the drainvalve feature of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a filter system, similar to FIG. 1,but depicting only a single filter assembly connected to a filter head;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the drain valve featuredepicted in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded, perspective view of a drain valve assemblyutilized in the filter assembly of FIGS. 1-12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the drain valve assembly of FIG. 13, whenassembled together;

FIG. 15 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the assembled drainvalve assembly of FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an endcap of the filter cartridge as it isready to engage a core piece and filter support, remaining portions ofthe filter cartridge being omitted for purposes of explanation;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the view of FIG. 16, showing theendcap, core piece, and a portion of the filter support;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of FIG. 17 and showing the full extensionof the filter support, while having a portion of the endcap broken away;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the basket within a basket holderof the core piece and in a first locked position relative to the filtersupport;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view analogous to FIG. 19, but showing thebasket in a second locked position relative to the filter support;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view analogous to FIGS. 19 and 20 but showingthe basket in an unlocked position relative to the filter support;

FIG. 22 is a the same perspective view as FIG. 21, but showing a portionof the basket and basket holder broken away in order to show otherparts;

FIG. 23 is a partial cross-section, top plan view showing the endcapengaged against the basket and basket holder as the basket is rotatedfrom its first locked position to its second locked position;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the basket;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 25, but nothaving structure cut off in cross-section as shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged, perspective, partially cross-sectional view ofthe arrangement of FIG. 25 at the portion shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a perspective, partially cross-sectional view of thecartridge end cap in engagement with the basket and basket holder,analogous to the view of FIG. 25, but showing the basket in the firstlocked position;

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged, perspective view of the portion shown in FIG.28;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the cartridge endcap engaged with thebasket, when the basket is in the unlocked position;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a bypass filter cartridge utilizedwith the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of anadapter arrangement and how it would be utilized in the filter assembly;

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the adapter of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an adapterarrangement;

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of the adapter arrangement of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an adapterarrangement;

FIG. 38 is a top plan view of the adapter arrangement of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the filter bowl not being able tomate with the filter head because of the lock-out arrangement;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a top load filterassembly having a removable filter cartridge, constructed according toprinciples of this disclosure;

FIG. 41 is a top plan view of the filter assembly of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of FIGS. 40 and41, the cross-section being taken along the line 42-42 of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the cross-section of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a rear perspective view of the filter assembly of FIG. 40;

FIG. 45 is a top plan view of the filter assembly of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of FIGS. 40-45,the cross-section being taken along the line 46-46 of FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of FIG. 46, theview being analogous to FIG. 46 but showing the plug in a drainposition;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the filter cartridge used in the filterassembly of FIGS. 40-47;

FIG. 49 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge ofFIG. 48 connected to the cover;

FIG. 50 is an enlarged perspective view of Section A of FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the cover used with the filter assemblyof FIGS. 40-47;

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of the top load filter assembly ofFIGS. 40-47 and showing the cover not being able to mate with thehousing because of the lockout arrangement;

FIG. 53 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of portion C depicted inFIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a top load filterassembly having a removable filter cartridge, constructed according toprinciples of this disclosure;

FIG. 55 is a top plan view of the filter assembly of FIG. 54;

FIG. 56 is another perspective view of the filter assembly of FIG. 54;

FIG. 57 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the filter assembly ofFIGS. 54-56, the cross-section being taken along the line A-A of FIG.59;

FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of FIGS. 54-56,the cross-section being taken along the line A-A of FIG. 59;

FIG. 59 is a top plan view of the filter assembly of FIGS. 54-56;

FIG. 60 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of section B of FIG. 58;

FIG. 61 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a core piece used inthe filter assembly of FIGS. 54-60;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a tube used in the core piece of FIG.61;

FIG. 63 is a top plan view of the core piece depicted in FIG. 61;

FIG. 64 is a bottom plan view of the core piece depicted in FIG. 61;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a portion of the drain assembly that ispart of the filter assembly of FIGS. 54-60;

FIG. 66 is an enlarged perspective view of section C of FIG. 65; and

FIG. 67 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of afilter cartridge and cover used in a top load filter assembly,constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure; and

FIG. 68 is an exploded perspective view of an endcap usable in thetopload assembly of FIG. 67.

FIG. 69 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a top-loadfilter assembly, constructed in accord with principles of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 70 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a selected portion of FIG.69.

FIG. 71 is a fragmentary perspective view of the portion of the assemblydepicted in FIG. 70.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. The Embodiments of FIGS. 1-39 from PCTApplication US 08/61539, Filed on Apr. 25, 2008 A. Overview

An example embodiment of a filtration system including a filter assemblyand a filter head is depicted in FIGS. 1-39. It should be realized thatmany examples are envisioned and not illustrated in the drawings. FIG. 1shows a filter system 30, including a filter head 32 and a filterassembly 34. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is one common filterhead 32 accommodating at least first and second filter assemblies 34.Also attached to the filter head 32 is a bypass filter assembly 35. Thefilter assemblies 34 are full-flow filters, while the filter assembly 35is a bypass filter assembly.

In FIG. 1, one of the filter assemblies 34 is shown in an exploded,perspective view as including filter bowl 36 and a removable andreplaceable filter cartridge 38.

Each of the filter assemblies 34, 35 is selectively connectable andmountable on the filter head 32. The filter head 32 is connected withother equipment, including a lubrication system of an engine, a fuelsystem for an engine, a hydraulic system for heavy-duty equipment, andgenerators for industrial use.

In the embodiment illustrated, the filter assembly 34 includes featuresincluding a lock-out mechanism, an auto-drain valve mechanism, and acartridge retention mechanism. Each of these features can be implementedindependently of the other features. The particular embodimentillustrated in the drawings shows all three features integrated into thesame filter assembly. One skilled in the art will appreciate that eachfeature can be implemented independently of the others.

In general, the lock-out mechanism ensures that the filter system 30 isnot accidentally operated with equipment without the filter cartridge 38installed therein (see FIG. 39, for example). Furthermore, in theparticular system 30, the lock-out mechanism helps to ensure that thefilter cartridge that goes within the bypass filter assembly 35 is notmistakenly used with the filter cartridge of the full-flow filterassemblies 34. The equipment upon which the filter system 30 is mountedis protected by ensuring that the filter head 32 and the filter bowl 36cannot be operably connected unless there is a filter cartridge 38operably oriented within the filter bowl 36 (FIG. 39). It also protectsthe equipment by ensuring that the correct filter cartridge 38 ismounted within the filter bowl 36, rather than, for example, the bypassfilter cartridge utilized in the bypass filter assembly 35. Details onan example lock-out mechanism are described in Section K of thisdisclosure.

An auto-drain valve mechanism can be included in the filter system 30and will allow for draining of the filtered liquid from the filter bowl36 during servicing of the filter system 30. The auto-drain valvemechanism allows for draining of the filter bowl 36 before the filtercartridge 38 is removed from the bowl 36. An example embodiment isdescribed in Section L of this disclosure.

The filter system 30, in this embodiment, also includes a cartridgeretention mechanism. This feature allows for attachment of the filtercartridge 38 to the filter bowl 36 after the filter assembly 34 has beencompletely removed from the filter head 32. Section M describes anexample embodiment of a cartridge retention mechanism.

For purposes of organization, it should be understood that the followingdescription will be of various pieces of the particular, illustratedembodiment. After each of the pieces in this embodiment is described,the way in which the pieces interact to provide the above and otherfunctions are described. Methods of operation, assembly, filtering, andservicing are also described. The following are example embodimentsonly. A variety of implementations can be made without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure. Not all of the reference numerals are shownon each FIG., for purposes of clarity.

B. Filter Cartridge 38, FIGS. 6 and 7

Reference is made to FIGS. 6 and 7, which illustrate one embodiment offilter cartridge 38 usable in this arrangement. In the embodiment shown,the filter cartridge 38 includes first and second opposite endcaps 41,42 and a tubular construction of filter media 44 extending between thefirst and second endcaps 41, 42. In the embodiment shown, the media 44is cylindrical in construction and defines an open filter interior 46. Avariety of different types of media 44 can be used and will depend uponthe particular fluid that is being filtered. In the embodiment shown,the media 44 is pleated media 48. The pleated media 48 can includecellulose, synthetic, and blends of synthetic and cellulose, forexample.

In general, fluid to be filtered flows through the media 44, whichfunctions to remove particulate or other debris from the fluid beforeflowing into the open filter 46. In some systems, it will be possible tooperate the filter system 30 in a reverse-flow manner, in which theliquid to be filtered flows from the open filter interior 46, throughthe media 44, and to a region outside of the media 44.

The first endcap 41, depicted, defines a first open aperture 50, whichis in fluid communication with the open filter interior 46. The firstendcap 41 further includes an axially-extending neck 52 protruding froman outward axial surface 54. The neck 52 defines a groove 56 along anouter radial surface 58 of the neck 52. Seated within the groove 56along the radial surface 58 is a first seal member 60. The first sealmember 60 forms a releasable seal 62 (FIG. 11) with an adaptor 64 whenthe filter cartridge 38 is operably assembled in the filter system 30with the filter head 32 operably engaged with the filter bowl 36.

The first endcap 41 defines an aperture wall 66 lining the first openaperture 50. The first open aperture 50 in the embodiment shown, iscircular and defines an inner diameter. The neck 52 defines an innerradial surface 68 that is on an opposite side as the outer radialsurface 58. In the embodiment shown, the first endcap 41 further definesa filter media holding section 70. The filter media holding section 70is the portion of the first endcap 41 that is secured to the filtermedia 44 and contains the media 44 on radial sides thereof. In theembodiment shown, the filter media section 70 includes an inner mediawall 72 defining an inner radial surface 74, which forms part of theaperture wall 66. The inner wall surface 74 of the inner media wall 72is spaced radially inwardly relative to the neck inner radial surface68. The filter media holding section 70 further includes an outer mediawall 76 that circumscribes remaining portions of the first endcap 41.The first endcap 41 further includes other features, in the embodimentshown, and those features will be further described below after thesecond endcap 42 is described.

Second endcap 42 is at an end of the filter cartridge 38 opposite fromthe first endcap 41. The second endcap 42 is secured to a second end ofthe filter media 44. It defines a second open aperture 78 incommunication with the open filter interior 46. The second endcap 42holds a second endcap seal member 80.

In the embodiment shown, the second endcap 42 defines a second axiallyextending neck 82. The neck 82 defines inner and outer radial surfaces84, 85. The second endcap seal member 80 is held by the second axiallyextending neck 82 on one of the radial surfaces, and in the embodimentshown, is held by the outer radial surface 85. In the embodiment shown,the neck 82 includes a groove 86 in the radial surface 85, which holdsthe second seal member 80. The second seal member 80 forms a releasableseal 88 (FIG. 12) with a disk 90. The disk 90 is secured to the bowl 36,and is further described below.

The filter cartridge 38 further includes, in the embodiment shown, acentering arrangement 92 (FIG. 5) to assist with positioning andcentering the filter cartridge 38 relative to the filter head 32. In theembodiment shown, the centering arrangement 92 includes a plurality ofstand-offs or projections 94 extending axially from the outward axialsurface 54 of the first endcap 41. In the embodiment shown, theprojections 94 include both first projections 95 and second projections96. The second projections 96 are taller than the first projections 95.The second projections 96, in cross section, have an L-shaped crosssection and in preferred embodiments have ribs or flanges 98 to addstrength. The second projections 96 assist in holding the filtercartridge 38 in place relative to the adaptor 64 (FIG. 11). As can beseen in FIG. 11, the adaptor 64 is contained between the secondprojections 96 and the first neck 52.

In the illustrated embodiment, the filter cartridge 58 further includesa retention mechanism 100. In the embodiment shown, the retentionmechanism 100 is spaced both axially and radially from the neck 52. Theretention mechanism 100 cooperates with other structure to retain thecartridge 38 with the filter bowl 36 during servicing. Details on thisoperation are discussed later below in Section M of this disclosure.

In the embodiment shown, the retention mechanism 100 is radiallycentered within the first open aperture 50. While a variety ofimplementations are contemplated, in the embodiment shown, the retentionmechanism 100 includes a flexible semi-tubular arrangement 102 (FIG. 5)secured to a portion of the endcap 41, for example, the neck 52. By theterm “semi-tubular”, it is meant that when viewing in top plan, such asFIG. 5, overall it may be generally tubular in shape, but notnecessarily have a closed perimeter, and the perimeter can form anirregular, non-circular shape, or it may also form a circle, in someembodiments shown.

Still in reference to FIG. 5, the semi-tubular arrangement 102 has agripper arrangement 104 and a release arrangement 106. In general, thegripper arrangement 104 is useful in providing a releasable connectionwith other structure in the filter bowl 36 to allow for the cartridge 38to remain retained in the filter bowl 36 when servicing system 30. Therelease arrangement 106 is useful in providing a convenient, quick, andeasy to use mechanism to release the filter cartridge 38 from the filterbowl 36, during servicing, and allow the cartridge 38 to be removed fromthe bowl 36.

As embodied herein, the gripper arrangement 104 includes a pair ofopposing fingers 108, 109 radially extending into the end cap aperture50. As will be explained below, in Section M of this disclosure, thefingers 108, 109 engage structure (a button 326, which is part of a corepiece 222) in the filter bowl 36.

As embodied herein, the release arrangement 106 includes a pair ofopposing tabs 111, 112. In the embodiment shown, each tab 111, 112 islocated about 90 degrees relative to the fingers 108, 109. Tab 111 isconnected to finger 108 by way of rib 114, while tab 112 is connected tofinger 109 by way of rib 115.

The tabs 111, 112 are depressible or compressible in a direction towardeach other, and because of the connection of the tabs 111, 112 to thefingers 108, 109 by way of the ribs 114, 115, upon squeezing the tabs111, 112 toward each other, the ribs 114, 115 move the fingers 108, 109away from each other. Moving the fingers 108, 109 away from each otherwill release the filter cartridge 38 from the corresponding structure inthe filter bowl 36.

The filter cartridge 38 further includes a protrusion arrangement 118(FIG. 5) extending into the first open aperture 50. The protrusionarrangement 118 cooperates, in one embodiment with the lock-outarrangement described in Section K below. In the embodiment shown, theprotrusion arrangement 118 includes at least first and secondprotrusions 121, 122 extending from the aperture wall 66 and into thefirst open aperture 50. By reviewing FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen howin the preferred embodiment, the first protrusion 121 is spaced from thesecond protrusion 122 in a vertical direction along the aperture wall66. That is, in the embodiment shown, the first protrusion 121 isvertically lower than the second protrusion 122. By reviewing FIGS. 6and 7, it can further be appreciated that the first protrusion 121 iscircumferentially-spaced from the second protrusion 122 along theaperture wall 66. In preferred embodiments, the vertical distancebetween first and second protrusions is between 2-30% of the distance ofthe inner diameter of the first open aperture 50.

In preferred embodiments, the first protrusion 121 extends into thefirst open aperture 50 no greater than 40% of the inner diameter of thefirst open aperture 50. Similarly, the second protrusion 122 extendsinto the first open aperture 50 no greater than 40% of the innerdiameter of the first open aperture 50. In the preferred embodimentillustrated, the first and second protrusions 121, 122 extend a sameamount into the first open aperture 50. In other embodiments, one of thefirst and second protrusions 121, 122 can be longer than the other.

Attention is directed to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, there is a top plan view ofthe filter cartridge 38. In the embodiment shown, the protrusionarrangement 118 further includes at least a third protrusion 123extending from the aperture wall 66 and into the first open aperture 50.The third protrusion 123 is circumferentially-spaced from the firstprotrusion 121 and the second protrusion 122. The third protrusion 123is vertically spaced from only one of either the first protrusion 121 orthe second protrusion 122; in other words, the third protrusion 123 isevenly spaced at the same vertical distance along the aperture wall 66with only one of either the first protrusion 121 or the secondprotrusion 122.

In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the protrusion arrangement 118, in theembodiment shown, further includes at least a fourth protrusion 124. Thefourth protrusion 124 is shown extending from the aperture wall 66 andinto the first open aperture 50. The fourth protrusion 124 iscircumferentially-spaced from the first protrusion 121, the secondprotrusion 122, and the third protrusion 123. The fourth protrusion 124is vertically-spaced from only two of the first protrusion 121, thesecond protrusion 122, or the third protrusion 123. In other words, thefourth protrusion 124 is vertically even with only two of the firstprotrusion 121, the second protrusion 122, and the third protrusion 123.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the third protrusion 123 isvertically-spaced from the second protrusion 122 and the fourthprotrusion 124, while it is vertically even with the first protrusion121. Also, in the specific illustrated embodiment, the fourth protrusion124 is vertically even with the second protrusion 122, while beingvertically spaced from the first protrusion 121 and the third protrusion123.

While the embodiment of FIG. 5 identifies the first protrusion at 121,it could also be located at the physical location of the thirdprotrusion 123. Likewise, while the second protrusion is shown in FIG. 5at reference numeral 122, it could also be at the location shown atfourth protrusion 124. In other words, in one contemplated embodiment,the protrusion arrangement 118 can include only a protrusion located at121 and a protrusion located at 122. Another variation includes theprotrusion arrangement 118 as including a protrusion only at 121 andonly at 124. Another variation of the protrusion arrangement 118includes a protrusion only at 123 and 122. Another variation includesthe protrusion arrangement 118 as including a protrusion only at 123 andonly at 124. The particular embodiment illustrated has the protrusionarrangement 118 as including four protrusions at 121, 122, 123, and 124.Additional protrusions can be utilized to help cooperate with the otherfeatures of the assembly 34, but in the embodiment of FIG. 5, there areonly four protrusions depicted.

In the embodiment shown, for the protrusion arrangement 118, two of thefirst protrusion 121, second protrusion 122, third protrusion 123, andfourth protrusion 124 are circumferentially-spaced within 45 degrees ofeach other (for example, 10-20 degrees), and a remaining two of thefirst protrusion 121, second protrusion 122, third protrusion 123, andfourth protrusion 124 are located within 45 degrees of each other (forexample, 10-20 degrees). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, thefirst protrusion 121 and second protrusion 122 arecircumferentially-spaced within 45 degrees of each other, while thethird protrusion 123 and fourth protrusion 124 arecircumferentially-spaced within 45 degrees of each other. In general, inpreferred embodiments, the first protrusion 121 and the secondprotrusion 122 are circumferentially-spaced within 50 degrees of eachother.

In some arrangements, one of the protrusions will be located greaterthan 45 degrees relative to the other protrusion. For example, consideran embodiment in which the protrusion arrangement 118 includes a firstprotrusion at 121, and the second protrusion is located where the fourthprotrusion 124 is located—in such an embodiment, the protrusions arelocated greater than 45 degrees relative to each other. In such a case,it could be said that the first protrusion 121 and the second protrusionlocated at reference numeral 124 are circumferentially-spaced greaterthan 45 degrees of each other. An analogous embodiment would include afirst protrusion at reference numeral 123 and a second protrusion atreference numeral 122.

C. The Filter Head 32 and Adaptor 64

In FIGS. 1, 11, and 39, a schematic depiction of filter head 32 isshown. The filter head 32 in the embodiment shown has an inlet conduit128 (FIG. 1) and an outlet conduit 130. As mentioned above, in theparticular example shown in FIG. 1, the filter head 32 shows connectionswith three filter assemblies, two of which are full-flow filterassemblies 34, and one of which is a bypass filter assembly 35. Ofcourse, this is just an example, and other arrangements can include onlya single filter assembly 34 connected to a filter head 32. The filterhead 32 is connected to other equipment, such that liquid to be filteredflows into the filter head 32 through the inlet conduit 128 and thenexits the filter head 32 by flowing through the outlet conduit 130. Insome example arrangements, the filter head 32 is constructed of a castmetal part.

The filter head 32 includes mating structure 132 for selectiveengagement with the filter bowl 36. In the embodiment shown, the matingstructure 118 includes threads 134. The threads 134 are illustrated asbeing along an outer radial surface of the filter head 32. Of course,the threads 134 can also be located on an inner radial surface of thefilter head 32. In addition, other ways of connecting the bowl 36 to thefilter head 32 are contemplated, as conventionally known in the art.

In FIG. 11, it can be seen that the adaptor 64 is connected to theoutlet conduit 130, in this example, by way of threads 136. In thismanner, the adaptor 64 can be selectively secured to the filter head 32through engagement through the threads 136. Other ways can also be usedto attach the adaptor 64 to the filter head 32, including, for example,press-fit, adhesive, welding, or making the adaptor 64 integral to thehead 32.

In the embodiment shown, the adaptor 64 includes a funnel 138circumscribing a central, open aperture 140. Extending from the funnel138 is a cylindrical wall 142. The wall 142 becomes positioned betweenthe first neck 52 and the second projection 96 of the first endcap 91.The wall 142 defines an inner radial surface 144, which provides asurface against which seal 62 (FIG. 11) is formed between the filtercartridge 38 and the adaptor 64.

Extending from an inner wall of the funnel surface 138 is a plurality ofribs 146. The ribs 146, in this embodiment, cooperate with the lock-outmechanism (Section K, below) in that they interfere with a portion ofthe filter bowl 36 when the cartridge 38 is not operably oriented withinthe filter bowl 36, and the engagement between the ribs 146 and thestructure within the filter bowl 36 prevents the filter head 32 fromthreadably engaging the filter bowl 36. See FIG. 39 for an example ofwhen the ribs 146 engage end rims 311, 354 of an inner assembly 364, asdescribed more fully below in Section K of this disclosure.

From reviewing FIG. 11, it can also be seen how the filter head 32 formsa seal 148 with the bowl 36, when the seal 136 is operably-mounted onthe filter head 132.

D. Filter Bowl 36

Attention is directed to FIG. 8, in which a perspective, cross-sectionalview of the filter bowl 36 is illustrated. In the embodiment shown, thefilter bowl 36 includes a surrounding wall 150 defining an open interiorvolume 152 for receiving and holding filter cartridge 38 therein.

The bowl 36 has, at one end, an open mouth 154 for allowing the filtercartridge 38 to be selectively inserted and removed from the bowl 36. Atan end opposite of the open mouth 154 is a closed end 156 defining anopening 158. In preferred embodiments, the opening 158 cooperates toform part of a drainage aperture arrangement 160.

The closed end 156 in the embodiment shown generally has a flat base 162to allow the bowl 36 to be stood on a horizontal surface, such as a shopbench, without tipping. In this embodiment, the end 156 further includesflat side surfaces 164 (FIG. 1) to be used in conjunction with a tool,such as a wrench.

Adjacent to the mouth 154 is mating structure 156, illustrated herein asthreads 168. The threads 168 are selectively engageable with the threads134 of the filter head 132 to allow for attachment and removal of thebowl 36 with the filter head 32. Of course, the threads 168 could alsobe on an exterior wall with threads 134 on the head 132 on an interiorwall. Also viewable in FIG. 8 is a seal member 170 held on an innerradial surface of the surrounding wall 150 within a groove 172. The sealmember 170 forms seal 148 (FIG. 11) with the filter head 32.

The closed end 156 of the bowl 36, in the embodiment shown, includes adisk-holding groove 174. The disk-holding groove 174 is defined by afloor 176 on an inner surface of the wall 150 at the closed end 156. Thedisk-holding groove 174 supports the disk 90 extending axially from thefloor 176 of the inside surface of the wall 150 of the bowl 36.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the disk 90 includes acartridge-receiving tray 180 constructed and arranged to receive atleast a portion of the filter cartridge 38. In preferred embodiments,the cartridge receiving tray 180 receives the second axially-extendingneck 82 of the filter cartridge 38 and forms seal 88 (FIG. 12)therewith. In FIG. 8, the cartridge receiving tray 180 includes an outerring 182, an inner ring 184, and a base 186 therebetween. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 12, the seal 88 is formed between and againstneck 82 and an inner radial surface 188 of the outer ring 182.

Extending axially below the cartridge-receiving tray 180 is a base ring190, which is held by and fixed within the disk-holding groove 174. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 8 and 12, the base ring 190 holds a remainingportion of the disk 90 from the floor 176 to allow for a flow of liquidin the volume 192 (FIG. 12) between the base 186 and the floor 176. Thebase ring 190 includes through-holes 194 (FIG. 12) to allow for the flowof fluid to flow from volume 192 through the base ring 190, and in adirection toward the drainage aperture arrangement 160.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the disk 90 further includes a secondinner ring 196. The second inner ring 196 is spaced radially inwardly ofthe inner ring 184. The space located between the inner ring 184 and thesecond inner ring 196 accommodates a porous inner filter support 200,described further below. In the embodiment shown, the disk 90 furtherincludes a third inner ring 202 located radially inwardly of the secondinner ring 196. The third inner ring 202 has an inner radial surfacethat provides a seal surface for forming a seal 204 between a drainvalve housing 206 (FIGS. 13 and 15) and the disk 90.

E. Porous Inner Filter Support 200

One embodiment of a porous inner filter support 200 is illustrated invarious FIGS. including, for example, FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, and 18.Portions of the filter support 200 can be seen in several of the otherfigures. The porous inner filter support 200 is oriented within the openfilter interior 46 (FIG. 6) of the filter cartridge 38. Further, in theembodiment shown, the porous inner filter support 200 is oriented withinthe open interior volume 152 of the bowl 36. In the specific embodimentillustrated, the inner filter support 200 is secured to the filter bowl36 by being secured to the disk 90 between inner ring 184 and secondinner ring 196. In other embodiments, the support 200 can be secureddirectly to the bowl 36 at, for example, the floor 176 of the bowl 36.Filter support 200 can be permanently secured to the disk 90 through avariety of techniques including adhesive, press-fit, staking, welding;or, the support 200 and the bowl 36 can be the same integral piece. Inanother embodiment, the disk 90 and the filter support 200 can be thesame integral piece.

In the embodiment illustrated, the inner filter support 200 includes aporous wall 208. The porous wall 208 defines a plurality of flowpassages 210 (FIGS. 8, 9 and 18) therethrough. In use, the filtersupport 200 functions to help support the filter media 44 by lining theopen filter interior 46 of the media 44, and the flow passages 210 allowfor the filtered liquid to flow into a filtered liquid volume 212 (FIGS.3 and 4) with in the porous wall 208.

In preferred embodiments, the porous wall 208 of the filter support 200includes a plurality of guide rails 216 projecting radially inwardly ina direction toward an inside volume of the filter support 200. In thecross section of FIGS. 8 and 9, a cross-section of the guide rails 216is depicted, so that only half of the guide rail 216 is viewable. InFIGS. 19-22, the upper ends of the guide rails 216 can be seen. In FIGS.19-22, the upper ends of the guide rails 216 function as projections 218extending from a remaining portion of the porous wall 208; theprojections 218 cooperate with the lock-out mechanism, explained below.Between the guide rails 216, a slide channel 220 (FIG. 8) is formed,which helps to slidably hold a portion (e.g., fins 336) of a core piece222, described further below. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the guide rails216 extend at least a partial length along the wall 208 of the filtersupport 200. In FIG. 8, the guide rails 216 are shown extending from afree end 224 of the filter support 200 about half way down the fulllength of the filter support 200.

In the embodiment shown, the porous inner filter support 200 furtherincludes an inwardly extending shoulder or support 226. The inwardlyextending support 226 extends radially inwardly from the wall 208 andincludes an upper surface 228 and a lower surface 230. The support 226defines a throat or opening 232, as it extends circumferentially alongand within the wall 208 of the filter support 200. The opening 232within the inwardly extending support 226 allows for a portion of thecore piece 222 to slide therewithin and also cooperates with a portion(e.g., the head 302) of the core piece 222 to help hold the core piece222 in place. It also helps to cooperate with the auto-drain mechanism,which is described in Section L below.

F. Drain Valve Assembly

The filter system 30 depicted also has a drain-valve assembly 236 (FIG.13) to allow liquid in the complete assembly to automatically be drainedduring the servicing of the system 30. The drain-valve assembly 236 canbe implemented independently of other features in the exampleembodiment. For example, the drain valve assembly 236 can be implementedindependently of the lock-out mechanism and cartridge retentionmechanism 100.

Attention is directed to FIGS. 12 and 13. In FIGS. 12 and 13, the filtercartridge 38 is operably positioned in the filter bowl 36, and the bowl36 is fully-threaded on the filter head 32. In this condition, thedrain-valve assembly 236 is in a sealed position 238. In the sealedposition 238, there is in place a first plug seal 240 and a second plugseal 242.

The drain-valve assembly 236 includes a plug 244. The plug 244 ismovably oriented between the sealed position 238 (FIGS. 11 and 12) and adrainage position 246 (FIGS. 9 and 10, for example). The sealed position238 includes the plug 244 blocking fluid flow between the interiorvolume 152 of the bowl 36 and the drainage aperture arrangement 160. Thedrainage position 246 includes the plug 244 being oriented relative tothe bowl 36 to permit flow from the interior volume 152 of the bowl 36through the drainage aperture arrangement 160.

FIGS. 13-15 show one example embodiment of drain valve assembly 236.FIG. 13 shows an exploded, perspective view of the drain-valve assembly236, while FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assembly 236 after it hasbeen assembled. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of thedrain valve assembly 236, after it has been assembled.

While a variety of embodiments can be used, in the embodiment picturedin FIGS. 13-15, the drain valve assembly 236 includes a valve housing248. The valve housing 248 includes a generally tubular wall 250defining an opening 252. The opening 252 receives the plug 244, suchthat the plug 244 is axially movable therewithin. The wall 250 defines apair of grooves 254 extending longitudinally, and constructed andarranged to receive corresponding ribs 256 on the plug 244. The wall 250further includes an elongated slot 258 including a transverse portion260. The elongated slot 258 receives ribs 262 emanating from the plug244. The ribs 262 have hooks or extensions 264 that help to keep theplug 244 from popping out of the valve housing 248 through opening 252.

Still in reference to FIGS. 13-15, the valve housing 248 depictedfurther includes a base 266. The base 266 is held within the opening 158(FIG. 8) of the bowl 36, and when properly oriented therein forms a partof the flat base 162 of the bowl 36. Extending vertically from the base266 is a wall 268 (FIG. 15). The wall 268, in the embodiment shown, isthreaded such that it can be removably mounted within the opening 158 ofthe bowl 36. Along the wall 268 is a valve seal member 270. The sealmember 270 forms a second valve seal 272 (FIG. 8) with the bowl 36. Thesecond valve seal 272 prevents fluid from flowing from the bowl 36through the opening 158.

The first valve seal 204 was described above. The first valve seal 204is formed by seal member 274 which is held within a groove 276 of thevalve housing 248. The seal member 274 forms first valve seal 204 (FIG.8) with the disk 90 connected to the bowl 36 to prevent unfiltered fluidfrom bypassing the filter media 44 and flowing into the open filter 46.

Still in reference to FIG. 15, in the valve housing 248 depicted,extending from the wall 268 is an upper base 278. The upper base 278, inthe embodiment shown, is generally parallel to the base 266, but isradially spaced and vertically spaced therefrom. Extending downwardlyfrom the upper base 278 is an inner wall 280. The inner wall 280 formsthe drain port 282 (FIG. 8) of the drainage aperture arrangement 160.

Extending upwardly from the upper base 278 is a slotted wall 284 (FIG.13). The slotted wall 284 has apertures 286 to allow liquid to flowthrough the wall 284.

Still in reference to FIGS. 13-15, a spring 288 is operably orientedaround the valve housing wall 250 and pushes against a portion of theplug 244. Specifically, the spring 288 is located between an outwardlyextending rib 290 extending outwardly from the wall 250 of the valvehousing 248. The spring 288 engages rib 290 and against flange 292 ofthe plug 244. The spring 288 biases the plug 244 to be in the positionin FIG. 15, which corresponds to drainage position 246. The plug 244 ismovable within the opening 252 of the valve housing 248 in a directiontoward the sealed position 238 by compression of the spring 288.

The drain valve assembly 236 further includes a first plug seal member294 secured to the plug 244 to form first plug seal 240 (FIG. 12). Thefirst plug seal 240 prevents unfiltered fluid from bypassing the filtermedia 44 and then flowing into the open filter interior 246, when theplug 244 is in the sealed position 238 (FIG. 12). The drain valveassembly 236 further includes a second plug seal member 296 secured tothe plug 244 to form the second plug seal 242 (FIG. 12) with the innerwall 280 of the valve housing 248. The second plug seal 242 preventsliquid from flowing from the bowl 36 through the drain port 282 of thedrainage aperture arrangement 160.

Still in reference to FIGS. 13-15, in the embodiment shown, the plug 244includes a receiver 298, which is circumscribed by the flange 292. Thereceiver 298 is at an end of the plug 244 that is opposite from asealing end 300 (FIG. 15) of the plug 244. The receiver 298 is generallybowl-shaped and is constructed and arranged to engage and receive aportion (head 302) of the core piece 222, described further below.

Details of the core piece 222 are described further below. One portionof the core piece 222 includes a core piece head 302 (FIGS. 8, 11, and12). The head 302 engages the plug 244 when the drain valve assembly 236is in its sealed position 238. When the head 302 moves away from theplug 244, this allows the plug 244 to move axially within the interiorof the filter support 200, with the spring 288, to allow the plug 244 tomove to the drainage position 246.

Further details on operation of the auto drain valve assembly 236 aredescribed further below in Section L.

G. Basket 304

Attention is directed to FIG. 24. A basket 304 is illustrated inperspective view. The basket 304 can be seen in various other views, andthe FIG. 24 perspective view is an example implementation. The basket304 is part of the lock-out mechanism, and its function will be morefully-described below in Section K.

In the embodiment illustrated, the basket 304 includes at least onecantilevered leg 306 extending from a basket base 308. The leg 306extends axially in a direction toward the closed end 156 of the bowl 36.In preferred embodiments, the basket 34 includes a plurality of legs306, and in the example embodiment shown, there are four legs 306,evenly and circumferentially spaced relative to each other.

The embodiment of the basket 304 depicted further includes a groovedwall 310. The groove wall 310 forms, generally, a cylinder and extendsaxially in a direction toward the open mouth 154 of the bowl 36. Ingeneral, the grooved wall 310 is constructed and arranged to engage aportion of the filter cartridge 38 such that the engagement with thefilter cartridge 38 will rotate the basket 304 from a first lockedposition to an unlocked position. The first locked position is aposition in which the at least one leg 306 axially abuts the projection218 on the filter support 200 (FIG. 19). The unlocked position is aposition in which the at least one leg 306 is free of the axial abutmentwith the projection 218 and permits the basket 304 to move in adirection toward the end 156 of the bowl 36 (FIG. 21).

In preferred embodiments, the basket 304 is rotationally movable fromthe first locked position (FIG. 19) to a second locked position (FIG.20). In the second locked position (FIG. 20), the at least one leg 306is partially free of the abutment against the at least one projection218 on the filter support 200, but there is still axial interferencetherebetween.

The grooved wall 310 has at least a first groove 312 with a first slidesurface 314, and a second groove 316 with a second slide surface 318. Inthe preferred embodiment, the grooved wall 310 includes a pair of firstgrooves 312, each having a first slide surface 314, and a pair of secondgrooves 316, each having a second slide surface 318. As can be seen inFIG. 24, the pair of first grooves 312 are located about 180 degreesrelative to each other while the pair of second grooves 316 are locatedabout 180 degrees relative to each other.

The first slide surface 314 of the first groove 312 is constructed andarranged to engage the filter cartridge 38 and rotate the basket 304from the first locked position to the second locked position. Thisrotation of the basket 304 also exposes the second slide surface 318 ofthe second groove 316 to engagement with the filter cartridge 38. Anexample can be seen by comparing FIGS. 19 and 20. In FIG. 19, the basket304 is in the first locked position. The first slide surface 314 isexposed to engagement with the filter cartridge 38. In particular, andas explained further below in Section K, the first slide surface 314engages the first protrusion 121 of the filter cartridge 38. The thirdprotrusion 123 will engage the other first slide surface 314, inpreferred embodiments. The first protrusion 121 engages the first slidesurface 314, which rotates the basket 304 clockwise when viewed fromabove. The basket 304 is rotated to the second locked position, depictedin FIG. 20. The second locked position then exposes the second slidesurface 318. The second slide surface 318, in preferred embodiments, hasthe second protrusion 122 engage against it, which causes the basket 304to further rotate clockwise, when viewed above, to the unlocked positionas shown in FIG. 21. In preferred embodiments, the fourth protrusion 124will engage the other second slide surface 318.

In FIG. 24, in the embodiment shown, the basket 304 further includes ahollow column circumscribed by the grooved wall 310. In use, asexplained further below, the column 320 receives a post 322, which ispart of the core piece 222, explained in Section H below. The basket 304further includes webs or flanges 324 extending between the column 320and the grooved wall 310.

Further operation of the basket 304 is described below in connectionwith the lock-out mechanism, Section K.

H. Core Piece 222 and Spring

Several FIGS. show an embodiment of The core piece 222. The core piece222 is operably-oriented within the interior of the wall 208 of thefilter support 200, and within the filtered liquid volume 212.

As mentioned above, in the embodiment shown, the core piece 222 includespost 322. At one free end of the post 322, a button 326 is defined.Adjacent to the button 326 is a reduced dimension 328 in the form of aneck 330. The post 322 is received by the column 320 of the basket 304.The retention mechanism 100 engages the post 322 at the button 326.Specifically, the gripper arrangement 104 holds the post 322 at thebutton 326 by having fingers 108, 109 engage the neck 330 of the post322. Further operational details of the retention arrangement 100 arediscussed below in Section M.

As mentioned previously, the post 322 further includes, at an endopposite of the button 326, the head 302. In the embodiment shown, thehead 302 is mushroom-shaped and constructed and arranged to engage theinwardly extending shoulder or support 226 of the filter support 200.

The head 302 of the core piece 222 is movably oriented between anengaged position and a released position. The engaged position includesthe head 302 being oriented against the receiver 298 of the plug 244 topush the plug 244 into the sealed position 238. The released positionincludes the head 302 being spaced away from the receiver 298 of theplug 244 to allow the plug 244 to move to the drainage position 246.When the head 302 is in the released position, a radial flange 332 (FIG.10) on the head 302 is engaged against lower surface 230 of the inwardlyextending support 226. When the head 302 is in its engaged position(FIG. 12), the head 302 is engaged against the plug 244 and receivedwithin the receiver 298.

In the embodiment shown, the core piece 222 further includes a finarrangement 334. The fin arrangement 334 includes a plurality of fins336 projecting radially from a center longitudinal axis of the post 322.In preferred embodiments, the fins 336 slide within respective channels220 defined by guide rails 216. The fins 336, in cooperation with thechannels 220 within the guide rails 216, ensure that the core piece 222will maintain operable orientation and sliding orientation within theporous inner filter support 200. A core piece spring 338 is operablyoriented between the fin arrangement 334 and the upper surface 228 ofthe support 226 (FIG. 10). The spring 338 will exert a pushing force onthe core piece 222 in a direction axially upwardly relative to theporous inner filter support 200 and in a direction toward the open mouth154 of the bowl 36.

In reference now to FIGS. 17-22, the core piece 222 further includes abasket holder 340. The basket holder 340 supports the basket 304 andallows the basket 304 to move between its first locked position (FIG.19), to its second locked position (FIG. 20), and to its unlockedposition (FIG. 21). In the embodiment shown, the basket holder 340includes an apertured frame 342. The apertured frame 342 definesleg-receiving apertures 344 (FIG. 22), such that the legs 306 of thebasket 306 can penetrate the basket holder 340 by having legs 306 passthrough the leg-receiving apertures 344. The basket holder frame 342includes a slotted wall 346 circumscribing the post 322 and alsoincludes spokes 348 (FIG. 22) joining the slotted wall 346 to the post322. Adjacent spokes 348 define the leg-receiving apertures 344.

In reference to FIG. 22, the assembly includes a spring 350 orientedaround the post 322 and operably oriented between the webs or flanges324 of the basket 304 to bias the basket 304 rotationally within thebasket holder 340 and into the locked position (FIG. 19).

The slotted wall 346 includes a plurality of slots 352. The slots 352are open at one end and closed at an opposite end; that is, the slots352 are open at the end rim 354 of the slotted wall 346 and have closedends 356 adjacent to a bottom portion of the slotted wall 346. The slots352 function as a slide channel 358 for cooperating structure on thefilter cartridge 38.

In particular, the first slot 360 forms slide channel 358 for the firstprotrusion 121 or the third protrusion 123, after the first protrusion121 or third protrusion 123 engages the first slide surface 314 of thebasket 304, rotating the basket 304 from the first locked position. Thisrotation of the basket 304 then aligns the first slot 360 with the firstgroove 312 of the basket 304.

The second slot 362 will be put in alignment with the second groove 316,to allow either the second protrusion 122 or the fourth protrusion 124slide therewithin slide channel 358 after the basket 304 has beenrotated from the second locked position to the unlocked position (FIG.21).

I. Bypass Filter Cartridge FIG. 32

FIG. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a bypassfilter cartridge 390. The bypass filter cartridge 390 is usable with abowl 391 (FIG. 1) in the system 30. The bypass filter cartridge 390includes a region of filter media 392 attached between a first endcap393 and a second endcap 394. The second endcap 394 has an axiallyextending neck 395 holding a seal member 396.

The first endcap 393 is preferably constructed and arranged in a mannerthat will prevent it from operably fitting within the bowl 36 for thefull flow filter assembly 34. Switching the bypass filter cartridge 390and the full-flow filter cartridge 38 could have catastrophic results.Therefore, structure is built in to prevent this mix-up. One structureis the lock-out mechanism, described herein and further below. Anothersuch mechanism is the structure of the first endcap 393. The firstendcap 393 includes an upstanding projection 397 that holds seal member398. The height of the projection 397 is such that it will not beallowed to operably-engage the filter head 32 in the location of thefull-flow filter assemblies 34.

In the bypass filter cartridge 390, it can optionally include acartridge retention mechanism 399, analogous to the retention mechanism100 described above. Further, it may also include a protrusionarrangement 400 analogous to the protrusion arrangement 118, describedabove.

J. Adaptor Arrangements, FIGS. 33-38

Attention is directed to FIGS. 33-38, which illustrate variousembodiments of an adaptor arrangement 402. FIG. 33 illustrates onemethod for using, including installing an adaptor arrangement 402.

A first embodiment of an adaptor arrangement 402 is shown in FIGS. 33and 34 as adaptor ring 404. A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 35 and36 as 404′, and a third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 as 404″.Each of the adaptor rings 404, 404′, and 404″ have common features, andwill utilize common reference numerals. Differences will be indicated bydifferent reference numerals.

The adaptor ring 404, 404′, 404″ includes a circular band 406 definingan open aperture 408. In the embodiment shown, the band 406 is generallycircular, defining a generally circular open aperture 408. The band 406has an outer radial surface 410 and an opposite inside radial surface412. The inside radial surface 412 defines an aperture wall 414, becauseit lines the open aperture 408.

A protrusion arrangement 416 extends from the band 406. Preferably, theprotrusion arrangement 416 includes at least first and secondprotrusions 421, 422 extending from the aperture wall 414 and into theopen aperture 408. The first protrusion 421 is spaced from the secondprotrusion 422 in a vertical direction along the aperture wall 414. Thefirst protrusion 421 is also circumferentially spaced from the secondprotrusion 422 along the aperture wall 414.

Preferably, the first protrusion 421 extends into the open aperture 408no greater than 40% than the inner diameter of the open aperture 408.Similarly, it is preferred that the second protrusion 422 extends intothe open aperture 408 no greater than 40% of the inner diameter of theopen aperture 408. Preferably, the vertical distance between the firstprotrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 is 2-30% of the innerdiameter of the open aperture 408.

The first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 arecircumferentially spaced within 50 degrees of each other. It is alsopossible to arrange the first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion422 such that they are located greater than 45 degrees relative to eachother.

In the embodiment shown, the protrusion arrangement 416 further includesa third protrusion 423 extending from the aperture wall 414 and into theopen aperture 408. The third protrusion 423 is circumferentially spacedfrom the first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422. The thirdprotrusion 423 is also vertically spaced from only one of either thefirst protrusion 421 or the second protrusion 422.

In the illustrated embodiments, there is also at least a fourthprotrusion 424 extending from the aperture wall 414 and into the openaperture 408. The fourth protrusion 424 is circumferentially spaced fromthe first protrusion 421, the second protrusion 422, and the thirdprotrusion 423. The fourth protrusion 424 is also vertically spaced fromonly two of the first protrusion 421, the second protrusion 422, or thethird protrusion 423; that is, the fourth protrusion 424 is verticallyeven with only two of the first protrusion 421, second protrusion 422,and third protrusion 423.

In the embodiments shown, two of the first protrusion 421, secondprotrusion 422, third protrusion 423, and fourth protrusion 424 arecircumferentially-spaced within 15 degrees of each other, while aremaining two are circumferentially-spaced within 15 degrees of eachother.

The embodiment of adaptor ring 404′ illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36differs from the embodiment of adaptor ring 402 in FIGS. 33 and 34, inthat the band 406 has a longer vertical wall 430. This longer verticalwall 430 can be useful in certain arrangements.

The embodiment of the adaptor ring 404″ of FIGS. 37 and 38 furtherincludes cartridge retention mechanism 440. The retention mechanism 440is analogous to the retention mechanism 100 and includes a gripperarrangement 442 including fingers 443, 444. Further, the retentionmechanism 440 includes a release arrangement 446, including opposingtabs 447, 448.

FIG. 33 demonstrates a technique for using the adaptor arrangements 402in order to unlock the core piece 222 and the inner filter support 200.Adaptor arrangements 402 are useful in that it is sometimes helpful tobe able to use a filter cartridge that does not have the protrusionarrangement 118 on the endcap 41. For example, in the laboratory and outin the field, it may be desirable to test filter cartridges that havedifferent filtration performance but do not have the protrusionarrangement 118. In such situations, the adaptor arrangements 402 areuseful.

In FIG. 33, the arrow 450 shows herein the adaptor ring 404 is mountedrelative to the filter support 200. The adaptor ring 404 is generallymounted over the filter support 200, to engage the basket 304. Thefilter cartridge 452 may then be mounted thereon. The adaptor ring 404is generally located between the filter cartridge 452 and the filtersupport 200. In the embodiment shown, the adaptor ring 404 is thenlocated within the aperture of the first endcap 454 of the cartridge452.

In use, the adaptor ring 404 is oriented into the filter bowl 36, andthe first protrusion 421 is pushed against the basket 304 to then allowthe second protrusion 422 to engage the basket 304. Engagement of thesecond protrusion 422 against basket 304 then rotates the basket 304relative to the projections 218 (FIG. 19) on the filter support 200.This frees the legs 306 of the basket 304 relative to the projections218. When the legs 306 are free of interference with the projections218, the core piece 222 may move axially relative to the inner filtersupport 200.

K. Methods of Operation of the Lock-Out Mechanism

As mentioned above, it may be desirable to have in the filter system 30a mechanism that ensures that the filter system 30 cannot be operatedunless the filter cartridge 38 has been operably assembled within thefilter bowl 36. In addition, in the particular system 30 depicted, thereis more than one type of filter assembly and it would be disastrous if auser were to mix up filter cartridges. A lock-out mechanism will achieveboth objectives.

Reference is first made to FIG. 39 which depicts filter bowl 36, innerfilter support 200, core piece 222, and filter head 32. In FIG. 39, thefilter cartridge 38 is not within the filter bowl 36. During servicing,for example, the bowl 36 would not have the filter cartridge 38installed therewithin. FIG. 8 also depicts the bowl 36 without thefilter cartridge 38 installed within.

In FIGS. 8, 18, 19, and 39, the basket 304 is fitted around the post322, and the basket 304 is oriented in its locked position by the biasof spring 350. In particular, the spring 350 is oriented such that itbiases the basket 304 into the locked position by rotational forceexerted between the flanges 324 and the resistance to that force becauseof engagement between the legs 306 and the leg-receiving apertures 344(FIG. 22). In FIG. 19, when the basket 304 is in its locked position,each of the legs 306 has its free end 307 in engagement with theprojections 218 formed by the ends of the guide rails 216.

In this position, without filter cartridge 38 installed in the filterbowl 36, the upper rim 311 of the basket 304 and the upper rim 354 ofthe basket holder 340 will contact or engage against ribs 146 of theadaptor 64. See FIG. 39. Because the legs 306 are resting on top of theprojections 218 (in this embodiment, shown as an end of the guide rails216), the core piece 222 and the basket 304 cannot move axiallydownwardly in a direction toward the closed end 156 of the bowl 36. Theentire inner assembly 364 is in an extended and rigidly fixed position.As can be seen in FIG. 39, in this rigidly fixed position, the filterhead 32 cannot operably connect with the bowl 36 by connection betweenthe threads 134 on the filter head 32 and the threads 168 on the bowl36.

During servicing, when a new filter cartridge 38 has been provided, thefilter cartridge 38 is oriented in the bowl 36 by placing it through theopen mouth 154. When the filter cartridge 38 is properly and operablypositioned in the filter bowl 36, the first protrusion 121 comes incontact or engages the ramped first slide surface 314 of the basket 304.See FIGS. 19, 28, 29, and 30. In embodiments that have more than twoprotrusions, one possibility is that both the first protrusion 121 andthe third protrusion 123 will engage a corresponding first slide surface314 on the basket 304. As the first protrusion 121 engages this firstslide surface 314, it causes the basket 304 to rotate against the spring350. In preferred embodiments, the rotation will be less than 45degrees, for example, 5-20 degrees. This rotates the basket 304 from thefirst locked position (FIGS. 19 and 30) to the second unlocked position(FIG. 20). The first groove 312 in the basket 304 become aligned withthe first slot 360 of the basket holder 340, which will eventually allowthe first protrusion 121 to slide down.

When the basket 304 is rotated to the second locked position (FIG. 20),this exposes the second slide surface 318. The second protrusion 122 isoriented such that it will contact or engage the second slide surface318. The contact with the second slide surface 318 can be made through aprotrusion located in the location of the fourth protrusion 124, aswell. In embodiments that have protrusions at both locations of thesecond protrusion 122 and fourth protrusion 124, then both the secondprotrusion 122 and the fourth protrusion 124 will contact thecorresponding second slide surface 318. The initial contact between thesecond protrusion 122 and the second slide surface 318 causes the basket304 to rotate against the spring 350 from its second locked position toits unlocked position (FIG. 21). FIGS. 23, 25, and 27 illustrateengagement of the second protrusion 122 against the second slide surface318. The rotation of the basket 304 from the second locked position(FIG. 20) to the unlocked position (FIG. 21) is preferably less than 45degrees, for example, 5-20 degrees. Rotation to the unlocked positionaligns second groove 316 and second slot 362, which will eventuallyallow axial sliding of the second protrusion 122 therein downwardly.

As the basket 304 moves to the unlocked position, the legs 306 alsorotate, moving away from engagement against the projections 218 createdby the end of the guide rails 216. When the legs 306 are completelyclear of the projections 218, any additional movement of the filtercartridge 38 in a downwardly axial direction toward the closed end 156will cause the basket 304 and the core piece 222 to also move in thatdirection against the core piece spring 338. The core piece spring 338normally biases the basket 304 and the core piece 222 in the extendedposition of FIGS. 8 and 39.

When the filter assembly 34 is mounted onto the filter head 32, theadaptor 64 will exert force on the first end cap 41 of the filtercartridge 38, moving the filter cartridge 38 downwardly relative to thebowl 36 and the inner filter support. Moving the filter cartridge 38downwardly toward the closed end 156 of the bowl 36 also movesdownwardly the core piece 222. The filter head 32 will then be able tomatably engage the threads 168 on the bowl 36 for secure attachment, asshown in FIG. 11.

It should be appreciated that the lock-out mechanism as characterizedabove can be utilized in a method of installing a filter cartridge intoa filter bowl such as a filter cartridge 38 into filter bowl 36. In sucha method, filter cartridge 36 is oriented into filter bowl 36. Thefilter cartridge 36 will have a tubular construction of filter media,such as media 44. The filter bowl 36 will have a porous inner filtersupport 200 mounted therein and a core piece 222 within the inner filtersupport 200. The core piece 200 will be holding a basket 304. The methodfurther includes while orienting, pushing the filter cartridge 38against the basket 304 to disengage the core piece 222 and the innerfilter support 200. For example, this can be implemented by pushing aprotrusion arrangement 118 against the basket 304. In particular, firstprotrusion 121 can be pushed against the first slide surface 304 torotate the basket 304 from the first locked position to the secondlocked position. Then, the second protrusion 122 will be oriented to bein a position to engage the second slide surface 318 and cause furtherrotation of the basket 304 from the second locked position to theunlocked position. The unlocked position will cause the legs 306 to movefrom engagement against projections 218 to a position in which they arefree of interference with the projections 218. This disengages theinterference between the core piece 222 and the filter support 200.Next, after disengaging, the method includes axially moving both thefilter cartridge 38 and the core piece 222 relative to the inner filtersupport 200.

This method of installing can be incorporated into a method forservicing, in which, first, the bowl 36 is removed from the filter head32. Next, the bowl filter cartridge 38 is removed from the bowl 36. Thismethod can employ the method of using the retention mechanism 100, whichis described further below (Section M). During services, the bowl can bedrained, which is also described in Section L.

Next, a new filter cartridge 38 is provided. The method of installingthe filter cartridge, as described above, is then utilized. In preferredsuch methods, after the cartridge 38 unlocks the engagement between thebasket 304 and inner filter support 200, and the cartridge 38 with thebasket 304 and core piece 222 is allowed to move axially downwardly.

L. Drain Valve Mechanism

The filter system 30 depicted also has a drain valve mechanism to allowliquid in the complete assembly to automatically be drained during theservicing of the system 30. The drain valve mechanism can be implementedindependently of other features in the example embodiment.

When the filter cartridge 38 is operably positioned in the filter bowl36 with the bowl 36 being fully-threaded on the filter head 32 as shownin FIG. 11, the plug 244 is in the closed and sealed position. In thisposition, the first plug seal 240 and the second plug seal 242 are inplace (FIG. 12).

The first plug seal 240 seals off liquid located on the clean side inthe filtered liquid volume 212 (FIG. 12), from allowing unfilteredliquid in the unfiltered liquid volume 214 from flowing through holes194 (FIG. 12). The second plug seal 242 seals off liquid from theunfiltered liquid volume 214 from the drain port 282 that is directed tothe outside environment. Also, the seal 204 (FIG. 10) prevents liquidfrom the unfiltered liquid volume 214 to be able to reach the filteredliquid volume 212.

With the filter cartridge 38 operably positioned in the bowl 36 and thehead 32 fully engaged and connected to the bowl 36, the adaptor 64presses against the first endcap 41, which pushes the cartridge 38 andthe core piece 222 holding the basket 304 and legs 306 downward axiallyrelative to the porous inner filter support 200. As the core piece 222moves in a direction toward the closed end 156 of the bowl 36, the head302 of the core piece 222 is moved away from the inwardly extendingsupport 226 and engages the receiver 298 of the plug 244. This axialforce presses the plug 244 against the valve spring 288 to move the pluginto the sealed position of FIG. 12.

When it is time to service the filter cartridge 38, because of wear orbecause of occlusion, the filter assembly 34 will be rotated about itscentral axis relative to the filter head 32. As this occurs, the filterassembly 34 moves downwardly along the central axis due to theunthreading action between the bowl 36 and the filter head 32. Whilethis downward action is occurring, the core spring 338 pushes againstfins 336 on the core piece 222. This moves the cartridge 38 holding thecore piece 222 axially upwardly relative to the bowl 36. The axialmotion upwardly of the core piece 222 stops when the head 302 is stoppedby engagement with the lower surface 230 of the inwardly extendingsupport 226. When the head 302 is not acting against the plug 244, itallows the plug 244 to move with the valve spring 288 away from drainport 282 to the position of FIG. 10. This allows liquid to drain fromboth the unfiltered liquid volume 214, shown by drain path arrow 368, aswell as drain from the filtered liquid volume 212 shown by drain patharrow 370 through the drain port 282 into the outside environment whereit can be captured by some kind of container for proper disposal. Thisdrainage can occur while the assembly 34 remains attached to the filterbowl 36.

It should be appreciated that with the described drainage system, amethod for draining liquid from the filter assembly 34 can be employed.One such method would include at least partially unscrewing the bowl 36containing the filter cartridge 38 from the filter head 32 to permit thespring 338 to move the plug 244 from the sealed position to a drainageposition. The bowl 36 has an interior volume 152 and drainage aperturearrangement 160. The sealed position includes the plug 244 blockingfluid flow between the interior volume 152 of the bowl 36 and the fluidoutlet port 282 in the drainage arrangement 160 and by blocking fluidflow between an upstream side of the filter cartridge 38 and adownstream side of the filter cartridge 38. The upstream side of thefilter cartridge 38 corresponds to the unfiltered liquid volume 214. Thedownstream side of the filter cartridge 38 corresponds to the filteredliquid volume 212. The drainage position includes the plug 244 beingoriented to permit fluid flow between the interior volume 152 of thebowl 36 and fluid outlet port 282 of the bowl 36. The fluid outlet port282 of the bowl is part of the drainage aperture arrangement 160, inwhich in the embodiment shown, holds the valve housing 248 having drainport 282 therein. The step of partially unscrewing the bowl 36 includespermitting core piece spring 338 to move the core piece 222 having head302 axially out of engagement with the plug 244, permitting valve spring248 to move the plug 244 from the sealed position to the drainageposition.

When the assembly 34 is mounted onto the filter head 32, engagementbetween a portion of the filter head (such as adaptor 64) and thecartridge (such as end cap 41), pushes the filter cartridge 38 andstructure connected to it, axially downwardly against the core piecespring 338 in a direction toward the closed end 156 of the bowl 36. Thestructure connected to the cartridge 38 will include the core piece 222,having head 302. The core piece 222 moves axially relative to the filtersupport 200, and the fins 336 will slide within channels 220 between theguide rails 216. As the core piece 222 moves in a direction toward theclosed end 156, the head 302 moves toward the valve assembly 236.Eventually, the head 302 engages the receiver 298 of the plug 244 andpushes the plug 244 against spring 288 to move the plug 244 into thesealed position 238, in which first plug seal 240 is formed and secondplug seal 242 is formed.

M. Cartridge Retention Mechanism 100

In the preferred embodiment, illustrated, the filter system 30 includescartridge retention mechanism 100 to releasably hold the filtercartridge 38 within the filter bowl 36 during servicing. The cartridgeretention mechanism 100 can be implemented independently of the otherfeatures in the filtration system, including independent of the lock-outmechanism and the drain valve mechanism.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 9, and 11 each shows the retention mechanism 100 engagedwith the gripper arrangement 104 connected to the core piece 222,specifically, the neck 330 of the button 326. Specifically, the fingers108, 109 are gripping the neck 330, which causes the filter cartridge 38to remain in the bowl 36, rather than stay connected to the adaptor 64in the filter head 32.

When the filter assembly 34 is removed from the head 32, the filtercartridge 38 remains captured in the bowl 36 by engagement between thefingers 108, 109 of the gripper arrangement 104 and the button 326 ofthe post 322. In order to release the filter cartridge 38 from the bowl36, the release arrangement 106 is actuated. Specifically, the tabs 111,112 are squeezed together in a direction toward each other and towardthe post 322, by using, for example, the thumb and forefinger of theperson providing the servicing. This causes the fingers 108, 109 to moveaway from the neck 330 of the post 322, allowing the fingers 108, 109 toclear the button 326. The thumb and forefinger of the service person ison the tabs 111, 112, and the service person can now pull the filtercartridge 38 clear of the button 326 and remove the filter cartridge 38from the bowl 36.

The retention mechanism 100 can be made from a material flexible enoughto provide deflection of the fingers 108, 109 away from each other whenthe tabs 111, 112 are squeezed. This material may be plastic, althoughit may be other materials as well.

The retention system 100 can be used in a method for servicing thefilter system 30 including removing the filter assembly 34, includingbowl 36 containing filter cartridge 38, from filter head 32. Next,during the step of removing, the method includes retaining the filtercartridge 38 to the bowl 36 by gripping the button 326 with opposingfingers 108, 109, radially extending toward each other. After the stepof retaining, opposing tabs 111, 112 may be gripped and squeezed towardeach other to release the fingers 108, 109 from the button 326 andthereby release the filter cartridge 38 from the bowl 36. The methodfurther includes the step of, while still gripping the opposing tabs111, 112, pulling the filter cartridge 38 from the bowl 36. The step ofgripping includes using opposing fingers 108, 109 that are integral withthe filter cartridge 38. The step of gripping may also include usingopposing fingers 443, 444 that are part of an adaptor 404″ between thefilter cartridge 38 and the core piece 222.

II. The Embodiments of FIGS. 40-68

FIGS. 40-71 depict top load assemblies. By the term “top load”, it ismeant an arrangement in which there is a serviceable filter cartridgecontained within a housing and is removable therefrom through accessprovided by a top cover.

A. FIGS. 40-53

FIGS. 40 and 44 show front and rear perspective views of one embodimentof a top load assembly 900. In FIG. 40, the assembly 900 can be seen ashaving a housing 902 with a removable service cover 904 covering a mouth903. In this embodiment, the housing 902 is integral with a filter base908. The housing 902 defines an inlet 906 (FIG. 46), which passesthrough the base 908 of the housing 902. The base 908 is at an end ofthe housing 902 opposite from where the cover 904 is located. In use,the cover 904 will be located vertically above the base 908. Through thebase 908 is also defined an outlet 910.

In FIGS. 42, 43, 46, and 47 inside of the housing 902, a removable andreplaceable filter cartridge 912 can be seen. In use, when it is time toservice the assembly 900, the cover 904 is removed from the housing 902.The cartridge 912 is removed from the housing 902 through the accessopening created when the cover 904 is removed. The old filter cartridge912 is discarded, and a new filter cartridge 912 is provided.

As mentioned above, one preferred feature is a feature that ensures thefilter assembly 900 is not allowed to operate unless a filter cartridgeis operably oriented within the housing 902. Further, it is importantthat a correct filter cartridge is oriented within the housing 902.Therefore, the assembly 900 includes a lock-out feature, as describedabove.

FIGS. 42, 43, 46, and 47 illustrate cross-sectional views of the housing902, cover 904, and internal components 920. The internal components 920include a lock-out mechanism, similar to that described above. Theinternal components 920 include a porous inner filter support 922; acore piece 924; and a basket 926. The filter support 922 is attached tothe filter housing 902 by a disk 928. The filter support 922 includes aninwardly extending shoulder or support 930. The porous inner filtersupport 922 further includes guide rails 932 (FIGS. 47 and 52), defininga slide groove 936 therein. The ends of the rails 932 form projections938 (FIG. 52), which are also at a free end of a porous inner filtersupport 922.

The core piece 924 includes a basket holder 946 and a post 939 having ahead 940, which engages the inwardly extending support 930. The corepiece 924 further defines a fin arrangement 942 including a plurality offins 944. The fins 944 slide within the channels or grooves 936 betweenthe rails 932.

At an end of the core piece 924 opposite of the head 940 is a basketholder 946. The basket holder 946 is constructed analogously as thebasket holder 340 described previously. A basket spring 927 biases thebasket holder 946 toward a locked position, analogous to spring 350,described previously.

A core piece spring 948 pushes the core piece 924 in a direction axiallyupwardly, toward the cover 904, by exerting a force between the inwardlyextending support 930 and the fin arrangement 942.

The basket 926 is supported by the basket holder 946. The basket 926 isconstructed analogously to the basket 304, described above. In FIGS. 46and 47, the basket 926 can be seen as including a plurality of legs 950.When the assembly is in its locked position, the legs 950 interfere withand engage against the projections 938 as can be seen in FIG. 52. Thisengagement prevents the core piece 924 from moving axially downwardly ina direction toward the base 908 of the housing 902.

In use, the filter cartridge 912 is oriented into the housing 902through mouth 903 exposed by removal of the service cover 904. Thefilter cartridge 912 will be pushed against the basket 926 to disengagethe core piece 924 and the inner filter support 922. For example, thiscan be implemented by pushing a protrusion arrangement 918 (FIG. 49),analogous to the protrusion arrangement 118 characterized above againstthe basket 926. In FIG. 49, the protrusion arrangement 918 is shown asfirst protrusion 951 and second protrusion 952. In preferredembodiments, the protrusion arrangement 918 is analogous to arrangement118, and can optionally include more protrusions, such as a third andfourth protrusion, arranged as described above in connection with theembodiments of FIGS. 1-32. As explained above, engaging the firstprotrusion 951 against the basket 926 will rotate the basket 926 from afirst locked position to a second locked position, as characterizedabove in connection with FIGS. 1-32. Then, second protrusion 952,analogous to second protrusion 122 as characterized above, will be in aposition to engage the basket 926 and cause further rotation of thebasket 926 from the second locked position to the unlocked position. Theunlocked position will cause the legs 950 to move from engagementagainst the projections 938 to a position in which they are free ofinterference with the projections 938. This disengages the interferencebetween the core piece 924 and the filter support 922. Next, afterdisengaging, both the filter cartridge 912 and the core piece 924 can bemoved axially downwardly relative to the inner filter support 922.

The filter cartridge 912 can be constructed analogously to the filtercartridge 38, as characterized above. Further, it can be desirable totest the assembly 900 by utilizing a cartridge without the protrusionfeatures. In such a system, an adaptor can be utilized. Adaptors asdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 33-38 can be utilized.

In reference now to FIGS. 48 and 49, the filter cartridge 912 utilizedin this embodiment is illustrated. The filter cartridge 912 depictedincludes a first endcap 956. The first endcap 956 defines a first openvolume 958 in open communication with an interior 960 of the cartridge912. While in some embodiments, the first endcap 956 is closed, in thespecific embodiment illustrated here, it is depicted as an open endcap956 with an open aperture. A cylindrical section of filter media 962 issecured to the first endcap 956 at one end. In preferredimplementations, the filter media 962 will be pleated media. In theembodiment shown, the section of media 962 is arranged in a cylinder,but it is envisioned that in other embodiments, the filter media 962could be arranged tubular in non-cylindrical forms, such as oval.

The first endcap 956 further defines a wall 964 (in this example, atubular wall 964) lining the first open volume 958. As explained above,and as shown in analogous arrangements described in connection withFIGS. 1-32 above, in preferred arrangements, the tubular wall 964 willsupport the protrusion arrangement 918. The first endcap 956 includes anaxial surface 966 oriented axially with respect to the filter media 962.

Still in reference to FIGS. 48 and 49, in the embodiment shown, thefirst endcap 956 defines a first neck 968. The first neck 968 defines aninner radial surface 970 and an inner radial surface 970 and an outerradial surface 971. The first neck 968 extends from the axial surface966 to project axially above a remaining portion of the first endcap956.

As described above with respect to analogous filter cartridges, thisfilter cartridge 912 also includes a centering arrangement 972. In thisembodiment, the centering arrangement 972 is depicted as a plurality ofstand-offs 974 extending axially from the first endcap 956; and inparticular, from the outer axial surface 966. The stand-offs 974 aredepicted as being spaced radially outwardly from the first neck 968. Inuse, these stand-offs 974 help to better orient and position thecartridge 912 within the assembly 900.

The filter cartridge 912 depicted further includes a second endcap 976.The second endcap 976 is secured to the filter media 962 at an endopposite from where the first endcap 956 is secured. In the embodimentshown, the second endcap 976 defines a second neck 978 extending axiallyfrom a remaining portion of the second endcap 976.

In the embodiment shown, the cartridge 912 further includes at leastfirst and second cover-gripping members 981, 982. In the embodimentshown, the first and second cover-gripping members 981, 982 extend fromthe first endcap 956. The cover-gripping members 981, 982 areconstructed and arranged to mate with a portion of cover 904, when thefilter cartridge 912 is operably connected to the cover 904.

In FIG. 48, it can be seen that the first and second cover-grippingmembers 981, 982 are opposed to each other. The cover-gripping members981, 982 are also made of a material that allows them to deflectradially toward and away from each other. This allows for thecover-gripping members 981, 982 to be moved into a position to operablyconnect to the cover 904.

In the embodiment shown, the first and second cover-gripping members981, 982 extend from the tubular wall 964, which can include the innerradial surface 970 of the first neck 968. The first and secondcover-gripping members 981, 982 extend radially inwardly into the firstopen volume 958.

In FIG. 48, the first and second cover-gripping members 981, 982 eachhave a respective arched segment 983, 984 opposed to each other in aconcave orientation. Each arched segment 983, 984 defines a projection985, 986 that is received by a portion of the cover 904, when the filtercartridge 912 is operably connected to the cover 904. FIG. 50 showsprojection 985 being received within a recess 988 defined by a portionof the cover 904. It should be understood that the recess 988 andprojections 985, 986 may be reversed in that the projection can be onthe cover 904 while the recesses can be defined by the cover-grippingmembers 981, 982 and accomplish the same purpose.

In the embodiment shown, the filter cartridge 912 further includes afirst endcap seal member 990. The first endcap seal member 990 isoperably held by the first endcap 956 in order to create a seal betweenthe filter cartridge 912 and the housing 902. In the embodiment shown,the first endcap seal member 990 is oriented on the outer radial surface971 of the first neck 968.

Further, in the embodiment shown, the cartridge 912 includes a secondendcap seal member 992 operably held by the second endcap 976. Thesecond endcap seal member 992, in the embodiment shown, is oriented onan outer radial surface 994 of the second neck 978.

In reference now to FIGS. 49 and 51, the interaction between cover 904and filter cartridge 912 is further explained. In the embodiment shown,the cover 904 includes a top portion 996 and an outer surrounding wall998. The outer surrounding wall 998 in the embodiment shown, definesthreads 1002 for threadably connecting with corresponding threads 915 onthe housing 902.

Extending from the top portion 996 is an internally extending sealingwall 1004. The sealing wall 1004, in the embodiment shown, extends alength from the top portion 996 that is longer than an end of the outersurrounding wall 998. The sealing wall 1004 is oriented to form a sealwith the first end cap seal member 990, when operably connected.

In the embodiment shown, radially inwardly of the sealing wall 1004 isan internally extending cartridge-engaging wall 1006. In the embodimentshown, the cartridge-engaging wall 1006 is shorter than the sealing wall1004. In preferred implementations, the cartridge-engaging wall 1006will include suitable structure to engage mating structure of thecover-gripping members 981, 982. In the particular embodimentillustrated, the cartridge-engaging wall 1006 defines recess 988. Therecess 988, in this embodiment, receives projections 985, 986 asdescribed above.

FIG. 50 illustrates a close-up of recess 988 receiving projection 985.The mating of projections 985, 986 with recess 988 helps to retain thefilter cartridge with the cover 904, when the cover 904 is removed fromthe housing 902. During servicing, the cartridge 912 can then be removedfrom the cover 904.

The top load assembly 900 depicted also has a drain-valve assembly 1010to allow liquid in the complete assembly to automatically be drainedduring servicing of the assembly 900. The drain-valve assembly 1010 canbe implemented independently of other features in this exampleembodiment. In FIGS. 42 and 46, the filter cartridge 912 is operablypositioned in the housing 902, and the housing 902 is fully-threadedwith the cover 904. In this condition, the drain-valve assembly 1010 isin a sealed position. In the sealed position, a first plug seal 1012, asecond plug seal 1014, and a third plug set 1015 are operably in place.

The drain-valve assembly 1010 includes a plug 1016. The plug 1016 ismovably oriented between the sealed position (FIGS. 42 and 46) and adrainage position (FIG. 47). The sealed position includes the plug 1016blocking fluid flow between an interior volume 1018 of the housing 902and a drainage aperture arrangement 1020 defined by the base 908. Thedrainage aperture arrangement 1020, in this embodiment, is at an endopposite from the cover 904. In use, the drainage aperture arrangement1020 is located underneath the cartridge 912 and cover 904.

In the embodiment shown, and in particular reference to FIG. 52, thedrain valve assembly 1010 includes a valve housing 1022. The valvehousing 1022 includes a generally tubular wall 1024 defining an opening1026. The opening 1026 receives the plug 1016, such that the plug 1016is axially slidable therewithin. The plug 1016 and the tubular wall 1024can have structure, such as grooves and ribs as explained above inconnection with FIG. 13, to help hold the plug 1016 within the housing1022, while allowing the plug 1016 to slidably move within the tubularwall 1024. A spring 1028 is located around the wall 1024 and engages anend of the plug 1016 to bias the plug 1016 in the drainage position ofFIG. 47.

The valve housing 1022 holds a seal member 1030 around an outside radialsurface to form a seal 1032 between the tubular wall 1024 and the base908. The seal 1032 helps to prevent liquid from the assembly 900 frombypassing the outlet 910 and flowing through the drainage aperturearrangement 1020.

The first plug seal 1012 forms a seal between the tubular wall 1024 andthe plug 1016. It helps to prevent unfiltered liquid from bypassing thefilter media and flowing through drainage channel 1034 to reach theclean side of the cartridge 912 and pass through the outlet 910.

The second plug seal 1014 forms a seal with inner wall 1036 of a portionof the base 908. In the embodiment shown, the base 908 receives athreaded fitment 1038, which defines drain hole 1040 therein. Thethreaded fitment 1038 is considered to be part of the base 908, in thiscontext. It can be seen in FIGS. 42 and 46 how the second plug seal 1014is formed between the plug 1016 and the threaded fitment 1038. Thissecond seal 1014 prevents unfiltered liquid from flowing from thedrainage channel 1034 through the drain hole 1040.

As mentioned above, there is also a third plug seal 1015. The third plugseal 1015 is located near an end of the plug 1016 opposite from the endthat engages the head 940 of the post 939. The third plug seal 1015forms a seal between the plug 1016 and the inner wall 1036. Thisprevents unfiltered liquid from flowing through the drain hole 1040 whenin the sealed position.

In operation, liquid to be filtered enters the base 908 through theinlet 906. From there it flows into the interior volume of the housing1018. The liquid is prevented from passing through the drain hole 1040because of the second seal plug 1014 and third plug seal 1015. Theliquid then flows through the filter media 1062 and into the interior ofthe inner filter support 922. The filter media 962 removes particulateand debris from the liquid. From the interior of the inner filtersupport 922, the filtered liquid flows into outlet channel 1042 and thenout through the outlet 910. The liquid is prevented from bypassing thefilter media 962 by the first endcap seal member 990 and the secondendcap seal member 992. In addition, the first plug seal 1012 alsoprevents unfiltered liquid from bypassing the filter media 962 andflowing into the outlet channel 1042.

After a period of operation, it will be time to service the top loadassembly 900. To service the assembly 900, the cover 904 is removed fromthe housing 902 by unscrewing the cover 904 from the housing 902. Asthis occurs, the core piece spring 948 pushes against spring 944 on thecore piece 924. This moves the cartridge 912 holding the core piece 924axially upwardly relative to the housing 902. The axial motion upwardlyof the core piece 924 stops when the head 940 is stopped by engagementwith a lower surface of the inwardly extending shoulder or support 930.This moves the head 940 from out of engagement with the plug 1016. Whenthe head 940 is not acting against the plug 1016, it allows the plug1016 to move with the valve spring 1028 away from the drain hole 1040 tothe position of FIG. 47. This allows liquid to drain from both theunfiltered liquid volume, shown by drain path arrow 1044, as well asdrain from the filtered liquid volume shown by the drain path arrow 1046through the drain hole 1040 into the outside environment where it can becaptured by a container for proper disposal. This drainage can occurwhile the filter cartridge 912 remains at least partially secured to thecover 904.

Next, the cover 904 is removed from the housing 902. In removing thecover 904 from the housing 902, the filter cartridge 912 is also removedfrom the housing 902 through the engagement between the cover-grippingmembers 981, 982 and the cartridge-engaging wall 1006 of the cover 904.This pulls the cartridge 912 from the mouth 903 of the housing 902.

The old cartridge 912 is then physically separated from the cover 904. Anew filter cartridge 912 with new filter media 962 is then supplied.This new filter cartridge 912 is placed through the mouth 903 into thehousing 902. The cover 904 is operably oriented on the housing 902 andthreaded into place. While the cover 904 is being threaded into place onthe housing 902, the cover-gripping members 981, 982 snap into placewithin the recess 988 on cartridge-engaging wall 1006. Also, the firstendcap seal member 990 forms a seal with the sealing wall 1004 of thecover 904. In addition, the second endcap seal member 992 forms a sealwith the disc 928. The plug 1016 is moved into its sealed position bybeing pushed by the head 940 of the core piece 924. This creates firstplug seal 1012, second plug seal 1014, and third plug seal 1015.

If the user tries to orient the cover 904 on the housing 902 withoutfirst placing an appropriate cartridge 912 in the housing 902, thelock-out mechanism prevents the cover 904 from engaging the housing 902.An example is illustrated in the previous embodiment of FIG. 52.

When there is no filter cartridge 912 installed within the housing 902,the basket 926 is oriented in its locked position by the bias of thesebasket spring 927 as explained above to basket 304 and spring 350. Whenthe basket 926 is in its locked position, each of the legs 950 has itsfree end 953 engagement with projections 938 formed by the ends of theguide rails 932.

When the basket 926 is in its locked position, without filter cartridge912 installed in the housing 902, the upper rim 929 of the basket 926and the upper rim of the basket holder 946 will contact or engageagainst an end 1005 of the cartridge engaging wall 1006. See FIG. 52.Because the legs 950 are resting on top of the projection 938 (in thisembodiment, shown as an end of the guide rails 932), the core piece 924and the basket 926 cannot move axially downwardly in a direction towardthe base 908 of the housing 902. The internal components 920 are in anextended and rigidly fixed position. As can be seen in FIG. 52, in thisrigidly fixed position, the cover 904 cannot operably connect with thehousing 902 by connection between the threads 1002 on the cover 904 andthreads 915 on the housing 902.

During servicing, when a new filter cartridge 912 has been provided, thefilter cartridge 912 is oriented in the housing 902 by placing itthrough the open mouth 903. When the filter cartridge 912 is properlyand operably positioned in the housing 902, the first protrusion 951comes in contact or engages the ramped first slide surface, shown inconnection with the description of the previous embodiment of FIGS. 19,28, 29, and 30 at reference numeral 314 of the basket 304. Inembodiments that have more than two protrusions, one possibility is thatboth the first protrusion 121 and a third protrusion (such as thirdprotrusion 123, as described previously) will engage a correspondingfirst slide surface 314 on the basket 926. As the first protrusion 951engages the first slide surface (such as first slide surface 314 ofFIGS. 19, 28, 29, and 30) it causes the basket 926 to rotate against thebasket spring 927. In preferred embodiments, the rotation will be lessthan 45 degrees, for example, 5-20 degrees. This rotates the basket 926from a first blocked position (such as the position shown in FIGS. 19and 30) to the second locked position (such as shown in FIG. 20, above).A first groove (such as groove 312 in basket 304) becomes aligned with afirst slot (such as first slot 360 of basket holder 340), which willeventually allow the first protrusion 951 to slide downwardly.

When the basket 926 is rotated to the second locked position (such asthe position shown in analogous view FIG. 20), this exposes a secondslide surface on the basket 926. The second slide surface of basket 926is analogous to second slide surface 318 of FIG. 20. The secondprotrusion 952 is oriented such that it will contact or engage thesecond slide surface of the basket 926. The contact with the secondslide surface can be made through a protrusion located in the locationof a fourth protrusion (such as fourth protrusion 124) as well. Inembodiments that have protrusions at both locations of the secondprotrusion 952 and a fourth protrusion (such as fourth protrusion 124),then both the second protrusion 952 and the fourth protrusion willcontact the corresponding second slide surface. The initial contactbetween the second protrusion 952 and the second slide surface causesthe basket 926 to rotate against the basket spring 927 from its secondlocked position (FIG. 20) to its unlocked position, such as the positionshown in analogous FIG. 21. In analogous FIGS. 23, 25, and 27,engagement of the analogous second protrusion 122 is shown as beingagainst the analogous second slide surface 318. The rotation of thebasket 926 from the second locked position (FIG. 20) to the unlockedposition (FIG. 21) is preferably less than 45 degrees, for example, 5-20degrees. Rotation to the unlocked position aligns a second groove of thebasket holder 946 (analogous to second groove 316 of FIG. 21) and asecond slot (such as analogous second slot 362) of the basket 926, whichwill eventually allow axial sliding of the second protrusion 952 thereindownwardly.

As the basket 926 moves to the unlocked position, the legs 950 alsorotate, moving away from engagement against the projections 938 createdby the end of the guide rails 932. When the legs 950 are completelyclear of the projections 938, any additional movement of the filtercartridge 912 in a downwardly axial direction toward the base 908 willcause the basket 926 and the core piece 924 to also move in thatdirection against the core piece spring 948. The core piece spring 948normally biases the basket 926 and the core piece 924 in the extendedposition of FIG. 52.

When the filter cartridge 912 has been properly mounted within thehousing 902 and the basket 926 moves to the unlocked position, thisallows the filter cartridge to 912 to move downwardly relative to thebase 908 and the inner filter support 922. Moving the filter cartridge912 downwardly towards the base 908 also moves downwardly the core piece924. The cover 904 will then be able to matably engage the threads 915of the housing 902 for secure attachment as shown in FIGS. 40-46.

It should be appreciated that the lockout mechanism as characterizedabove can be utilized in a method of installing a filter cartridge intoa housing, such as filter cartridge 912 into housing 902.

B. FIGS. 54-66

A second embodiment of a top load assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 54-66at reference numeral 1050. This embodiment has features analogous to thefeatures described for top load assembly 900 of FIGS. 40-53. As such,the top load assembly 1050 has a lockout feature as described above,which description in incorporated by reference herein. The embodiment ofFIGS. 54-66 further includes an air bleed passage incorporated therein.

In many fuel systems, a considerable amount of air is introduced intothe system during filter servicing. When a clean filter is installedinitially, the space around the filter element is air. If there is anattempt to start the engine at this point, all of the air must passthrough the entire fuel supply system before any fuel can reach thecombustion chambers, allowing the engine to run. This can requireseveral minutes of turning over the engine before enough fuel reachesthe combustion chamber. Because most engines are turned over using abattery-powered electric motor, doing this for several minutes canoverheat the electric motor or drain the battery before allowing theengine to start. A current solution to this problem is to add a primerpump somewhere in the fuel system and a manual air bleed vent to allowair to be removed from the fuel system prior to starting the engineusing the battery/electric motor. It is desirable to add an air bleedpath to be incorporated into the fuel filter system allowing air tocontinuously bleed back to the fuel tank whenever fuel is flowingthrough the system, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,588; U.S.Pat. No. 5,896,846; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,766, each incorporatedherein by reference. The embodiment of FIGS. 54-66 incorporates an airbleed path into internal components.

FIGS. 54-56 show external views of the top load assembly 1050. The topload assembly 1050 depicted includes a housing 1052 with a removableservice cover 1054 covering a mouth 1053 (FIG. 57). The housing 1052 isintegral with a filter base 1058. A mounting flange 1057 allows formounting the assembly 1050 onto suitable equipment. The housing 1052defines an inlet 1056, which passes through the base 1058 of the housing1052. The base 1058 also defines an outlet 1060. Housing 1052 furtherdefines port 1061, which can be used for receiving various diagnosticcomponents, such as sensors; or, if a water separator is added to thefilter, it can be used as a port to drain away collected water; oralternatively, the port 1061 can be closed with a plug and not used.

FIGS. 57 and 58 show a cross-sectional view of the top load assembly1050. The housing 1052 holds a removable and replaceable filtercartridge 1062 (with analogous features as cartridge 912, whosedescription is incorporated by reference herein). In use, when it istime to service the assembly 1050, the cover 1054 is removed from thehousing 1052. The cartridge 1062 is removed from the housing 1052through the access opening created when the cover 1054 is removed. Theold filter cartridge 1062 is discarded, and a new filter cartridge 1062is provided.

The top load assembly 1050 includes a lockout feature, as describedabove. The lockout feature will not again be described with respect tothis embodiment. Rather, the features have been previously described,and that description is incorporated by reference herein.

In FIGS. 57 and 58, internal components 1064 can be seen. The internalcomponents 1064 include a lockout mechanism, as described above. Theinternal components 1064 include a porous inner filter support 1066; acore piece 1068; and a basket 1070. The filter support 1066 includes aninwardly extending shoulder or support 1072. The core piece 1068includes a basket holder 1074 and a post 1076 having a head 1078. Thehead 1078 engages the inwardly extending shoulder or support 1072. Thecore piece 1068 further defines a plurality of fins 1080 that slidewithin channels or grooves between guide rails 1081.

A core piece spring 1084 pushes the core piece 1068 in a directionaxially upwardly, toward the cover 1054, by exerting a force between theinwardly extending shoulder or support 1072 and the fins 1080.

The basket 1070 is supported by the basket holder 1074. The basket 1070is constructed analogously to basket 926 and basket 304, describedabove. The basket 1070 has a plurality of legs 1086. When the assemblyis in its locked position, the legs 1086 interfere with and engageagainst projections 1088. In this embodiment, the projections 1088 areformed by the ends of guide rails 1081, which are also at a free end ofthe porous inner filter support 1066. This engagement prevents the corepiece 1068 from moving axially downwardly in a direction toward the base1058 of the housing 1052.

Attention is directed to FIGS. 61-64. The core piece 1068 isillustrated. In this embodiment, the core piece 1068 includes an airvent passage 1090 extending the length of the post 1076. The air ventpassage 1090 allows air in the filter housing 1052 to move into fueltank and out to the atmosphere through a fuel tank vent. The air willmove through the upper end of the housing 1052, as fuel is initiallyflowing into the housing 1052. As the fuel initially flows into thehousing 1052 through the inlet 1056, the air is pushed toward the upperregion around the cover 1054 and is then allowed to pass through the airvent passage 1090 where it flows through the post 1076 and out throughorifice 1092 (FIG. 60). From there the air goes to the fuel tank, whereit is vented to the atmosphere.

In one embodiment, the air vent passage 1090 is formed by a vent tube1094 (FIG. 62). The vent tube 1094 can be formed with the core piece1068 in a variety of implementations, such as by insert molding to thevent tube 1094 into the post 1076. In other embodiments, the air ventpassage 1090 can simply be formed by having a hollow section in the post1076, without the need for a separate tube 1094.

FIGS. 65 and 66 depict perspective views of the valve assembly 1096. Thevalve assembly 1096 is analogous to the valve assembly 1010 and 236,described previously, but with the additional feature of defining partof the air vent passage 1090. The air vent passage 1090 includes valveassembly air vent passage 1098 extending through the plug 1100. In theembodiment shown, the valve assembly 1096 includes plug 1100, first plugseal 1102 and second plug seal 1104. The plug 1100 is held within valvehousing 1106. A valve spring 1108 biases the plug 1100 from a positionaway from the opening 1110 in the valve housing 1106. The orifice 1092can be seen in the center of the plug 1100, in this embodiment. Asdescribed above, the post 1076 has head 1078 that engages against an endof the plug 1100. As this interface 1112, the vent tube 1094 in the post1076 meets up with and is in air flow communication with the valveassembly air vent passage 1098. At this interface 1112, some air canescape back into the fuel and eventually will be returned to this sameair vent passage 1090. This leak path would increase the time it takesto remove air from the system. Locating a seal (not shown) between theend of the post 1076 and end of the plug 1016 would eliminate this leakpath.

The size of the orifice 1092 is selected to allow for the venting ofair, and to also minimize the amount of fuel that would eventually flowthrough the air vent passage 1090, when all of the air has beenevacuated from the housing 1052.

In use, fluid to be filtered enters the assembly 1050 through the inlet1056. From there, it flows to the region between the housing 1052 andthe media in the cartridge 1062. The fluid then flows through the mediain the cartridge 1062 and into the interior of the inner filter support1066. From there the fluid flows through the bottom opening of thefilter support 1066 and then through the outlet 1060 to exit theassembly 1050.

From time to time, the filter assembly 1050 will need servicing. Toservice the assembly 1050, the cover 1054 is removed from the housing1052. In doing so, the cartridge 1062 will also be removed from thehousing 1052 because of the cover-gripper members 981, 982, described inconnection with the embodiment of FIGS. 43-53. If cover-gripper members981, 982 are not used, then the cartridge 1062 is removed from thehousing 1052 in a separate step after the cover 1054 has already beenremoved. A new filter cartridge is then provided and operably installedin the housing 1052 by placing the cartridge 1062 through the open mouth1053. The manner in which the lockout mechanism is unlocked has beendescribed previously, and that description is incorporated herein byreference. Once the cover 1054 is threadably connected to the housing1052, the assembly 1050 is again ready for use.

After servicing, the housing 1052 will have air trapped therewithin. Inuse, when the fluid is entering the inlet 1056 and then into the housing1052 for filtering, the fluid, whose level is shown at reference numeral1114 in FIG. 58 will start to rise. This will push the air in adirection upwardly shown at arrows 1116. As the air is pushed to thetop, it finds air vent passage 1090. The air is then allowed to passthrough the passage 1090 and ultimately out through orifice 1092 whereit can be returned to the fuel tank.

The assembly 1050 of FIGS. 58-66 can also be used for a method ofdraining liquid during servicing. This method has been describedpreviously in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 40-52, and isincorporated by reference herein. In the method used by the embodimentof FIGS. 58-66, the plug used will be plug 1100, which defines air ventpassage 1098.

C. FIGS. 67 and 68

A third embodiment of a topload assembly is partially illustrated inFIGS. 67 and 68 at reference numeral 1120. The topload assembly 1120 isdesigned similarly to the embodiment of FIGS. 54-66, in that it includesan air vent passage 1122, like the air vent passage 1090. Thisembodiment allows for the additional venting of air. In the embodimentof FIGS. 54-66, some of the air located in the region of the cover 1054between the sealing wall (such as sealing wall 1004 of the embodiment ofFIGS. 40-53) and the top of the cover 1054 can get trapped. The air inthis region is on the unfiltered side of the media. The air vent passage1090 in the previous embodiment is located on the filtered side of themedia. In order to remove the air from this region, a way of preventingcontaminant from the unfiltered side moving from the filtered side isdesirable.

In FIG. 67, the cover 1124 is shown secured to the housing 1126. Thefilter cartridge 1128 is operably secured within the housing 1126.

The filter cartridge 1128 includes a first endcap 1130 having a firstneck 1132. In this embodiment, the first neck 1132 defines athrough-channel arrangement 1134 (FIG. 68) that allows for fluidcommunication on opposite sides of the first neck 1132. In theembodiment shown, in FIG. 68, the through-channel arrangement 1134includes a plurality of spaced openings 1136. In the embodiment shown,the openings 1136 are evenly spaced about the entire circumference ofthe first neck 1132.

The first endcap 1130 holds a first endcap seal member 1138 and a firstendcap second seal member 1140 such that these seal members 1138, 1140form a seal with sealing wall 1142 of the cover 1124. In the embodimentshown, the first endcap seal member 1138 is oriented on an outer radialsurface of the first neck 1132 on one side of the through-channelarrangement 1134, while the first endcap second seal member 1140 is alsooriented on a outer radial surface of the first neck 1132 and on asecond side of the through-channel arrangement 1134. In the particularembodiment illustrated, the first endcap seal member 1138 is oriented onthe side of the through-channel arrangement 1134 that is closer to thefilter media 1144 than the first endcap second seal member 1140. Thatis, the first endcap second seal member 1140 is oriented closer to theend wall 1146 of the cover 1124 than the first endcap seal member 1138.

A second filter media construction 1148 is operably oriented to coverthe through-channel arrangement 1134. The second media construction 1148functions to filter or clean any fluid, such as air, fuel, oil, or otherliquids, that pass therethrough.

In this embodiment, the sealing wall 1142 defines a through-openingarrangement 1150. The through-opening arrangement 1150, in theembodiment shown, is a plurality of spaced openings or slots 1152extending radially through the sealing wall 1142. When the filtercartridge 1128 is properly and operably oriented with the cover 1124 inplace, the through-opening arrangement 1150 is in fluid communicationwith the through-channel arrangement 1134 of the first neck 1132. Inthis way, when fluid flows through the slots 1152, it then flows throughthe second media construction 1148 and then through the openings 1136 ofthe through-channel arrangement 1134.

Also visible in FIGS. 67 and 68 is a cartridge engaging wall 1154extending downwardly from the end wall 1146 of the cover 1124. Thecartridge engaging wall 1134 defines recess 1156 therein. Mating withthe cartridge engaging wall 1134 are cover-gripping members 1158, 1159extending from an aperture wall 1160 of the endcap 1130.

A first protrusion 1162 is also viewable extending from the aperturewall 1160. As explained above, this is used as part of a lockoutarrangement.

In use, if there is air trapped in the housing 1126, as liquid entersthe housing 1126 for filtering, the air will be pushed to the top of thehousing 1126. As it is pushed to the top of the housing 1126, it willpass through the air vent passage 1122. Some of the air will travel tothe air vent passage 1122 by first passing through the slots 1152 of thethrough-opening arrangement 1150 of the sealing wall 1142 of the cover1146. Then the air will flow through the media 1148 and then through theopenings 1136 of the through-channel arrangement 1134 of the first neck1132 of the first endcap 1130. From there, the air is free to travel tothe air vent passage 1122. The second media construction 1148 helps toremove debris from the air. In addition, the second media construction1148 will remove debris from the liquid that is being filtered thatpasses through the second media construction 1148.

D. FIGS. 69-71

In FIGS. 69-71 depict a fourth embodiment of the top-load filterassembly in accord with the present disclosure is depicted. Referring toFIG. 69, the top-load filter assembly 1500 is depicted incross-sectional view. The filter assembly 1500 can be viewed ascomprising an assembly generally analogous to assembly 900, FIG. 42,except modified as characterized herein.

The assembly 1500 differs from assembly 900 in two ways, generally asfollows: (1) the upper end of the cartridge, as explained further below,is closed; and (2) the manner by which the cartridge is secured to theservice cover is modified. The top load assembly 1500 has a lockoutfeature as described above with respect to assembly 900, whichdescription in incorporated by reference herein. The top load assembly1500 also has a drain-valve assembly analogous to drain-valve assembly1010 (whose description is incorporated by reference herein) to allowliquid in the complete assembly to automatically be drained duringservicing of the assembly 1500.

Referring to FIG. 69, assembly 1500 includes a housing 1502 with aremovable service cover 1504 covering a mouth 1503. The housing 1502, aswill be understood by comparing FIGS. 69 and 42, includes many featuresanalogous to housing 902, and, thus, includes a base 1508.

Within the housing 1502 is positioned removable and replaceable filtercartridge 1512. The filter cartridge 1512 comprises media 1512 mextending between a first upper end cap 1512 a and a second, opposite,lower end cap 1512 b. End caps 1512 a, 1512 b can be molded-in-place, orcan be preformed and be secured to the media 1512 m with adhesive, i.e.by potting.

The first, upper, end cap 1512 a is “closed.” By this, it is meant thatthe end cap 1512 a extends across an otherwise open end of the media1512 m, and includes no open aperture therethrough.

Referring to FIG. 69, end cap 1512 a can be seen as including:peripheral ring 1513, which engages and overlaps an end of the media1512 m closing same; and, centerpiece 1514, which extends across, andcloses, peripheral ring 1513.

Centerpiece 1514, in the embodiment depicted, comprises a projection onend cap 1512 a, that projects in a direction away from media 1512 m andend cap 1512 b. More specifically, the example centerpiece 1514 depictedincludes an outer peripheral ring, projection or tubular wall 1514 a,which extends in a direction away from media 1512 m and end cap 1512 b.The tubular wall 1514 a lines a first open volume of the endcap 1512 a.Further, centerpiece 1514 includes a closed end 1514 b supported by thewall 1514 a, to extend across a middle of centerpiece 1512 a, closingsame.

The wall 1514 a provides for clearance over internally receivedcomponentry, which componentry is analogous to that of a previouslydescribed embodiment of FIG. 42. As mentioned, the assembly includes alockout feature as described above with respect to assembly 900; assuch, the endcap 1512 a includes at least a first protrusion and asecond protrusions extending from an inside wall 1514 b (FIG. 71) of thewall 1514 a and inside wall 1513 a (FIG. 71) of ring 1513 into the firstopen volume 1515; the first protrusion being spaced from the secondprotrusion in a vertical direction along the inside wall 1514 b and 1513a; the first protrusion being circumferentially spaced from the secondprotrusion along the insides wall 1514 b and 1513 a.

Still referring to FIG. 69, the cartridge 1512 includes thereon,positioned on end cap 1512 a, and projecting in a direction away frommedia 1512 m and end cap 1512 b, a first member 1515 of an interferencefit connector arrangement 1516 removably securing the cartridge 1512 tothe end cover 1504. End cover 1504, includes a second member 1518 of theinterference fit connector arrangement 1516.

In general terms, the interference fit connector arrangement 1516provides that the cartridge 1512 is removably connected to the cover1504, so that when the cover 1504 is removed from housing 1502, thecartridge 1512 is also removed; and, such that the cartridge 1512 can beeasily separated from the cover 1504. The interference fit connectorarrangement 1516 depicted is configured to provide: that the cover 1504can be rotated independently of the cartridge 1512; and, so that theinterference fit connection provided by interference fit connection 1516can be easily established and broken, to facilitate servicing.

For the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 69, the first member 1515 ofthe interference fit connector arrangement 1516, comprises a projectionarrangement 1516 p on end cap 1512 a. The projection arrangement 1516 pincludes an interference bead 1519 projecting radially outwardlytherefrom, and surrounding the projection arrangement 1516 p.Interference bead 1519 is sized and positioned to be removably receivedwithin a receiver 1520 positioned on member 1518 of cover 1504, in aninterference fit manner. Receiver 1520 for example, can comprise agroove.

For the particular embodiment depicted, the projection arrangement 1516p comprises a plurality of spaced, flexible, projections orcover-gripping members 1521, each projection having a segment of thebead 1519 thereon. At least two of the cover-gripping members 1521 areopposed to each other and are deflectable radially toward and away fromeach other. The cover-gripping members 1521 are constructed and arrangedto mate with a portion of a cover, when the filter cartridge is operablyconnected to a cover.

Although alternatives are possible, for the example embodiment depictedin FIG. 69, the end cap 1512 a comprises ring 1513, centerpiece 1514;and, projection arrangement 1516 p formed integral with one another, forexample molded integral.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 70 and 71, in which the spacedprojections or cover-gripping members 1521 can be more readily viewed.Referring to FIG. 71, it can be seen that the example groove 1520extends completely around the projection arrangement 1516 p. Thus, cover1504 can be rotated relative to the cartridge 1512. It can also be seenthat the snap-fit connector arrangement 1516, being an interference fitconnector using flexible projections or cover-gripping members 1521, canbe snapped together or pulled apart as needed, during servicing, withoutdamage to either the access cover 1504 or the cartridge 1512.

In general terms, expect for features as characterized above, theassembly 1500 includes features as generally described previously inconnection with the embodiment of FIG. 42, and operates analogouslythereto, including for example: the method of filtering; the lockoutmechanism; and the drain valve mechanism. The closed endcap 1512 aallows the elimination of seal member 990 (FIG. 49), which is a costsavings, and which allows for an easier removal of the service cover1504 from the base 1502 when compared to the embodiment of FIG. 42 sincethere is less friction. This improves the convenience of servicing.

It is noted that principles analogous to those described for thearrangement of FIGS. 69-71 can be applied in association with alternatespecific features.

We claim:
 1. A filter cartridge comprising: (a) a closed endcap havingan inside wall defining a first open volume; (b) a tubular constructionof filter media secured to the closed endcap; (c) an open endcap securedto the filter media at an end opposite of the closed endcap; (d) atleast a first protrusion and a second protrusions extending from theinside wall into the first open volume; (i) the first protrusion beingspaced from the second protrusion in a vertical direction along theinside wall; and (ii) the first protrusion being circumferentiallyspaced from the second protrusion along the inside wall.
 2. A filtercartridge according to claim 1 further comprising: (a) a closed endcapseal member operably held by the closed endcap; and (b) a open endcapseal member operably held by the open endcap.
 3. A filter cartridgeaccording to claim 2 wherein: (a) the closed endcap defines a firstneck; the closed endcap seal member being oriented on an outer radialsurface of the first neck; and (b) the open endcap defines a secondneck; the open endcap seal member being oriented on an outer radialsurface of the second neck; and (c) a plurality of standoffs extendingaxially from the closed endcap and being spaced radially outwardly fromthe first neck.
 4. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 furthercomprising: (a) at least a third protrusion and a fourth protrusionextending from the tubular wall and into the first open volume; (i) thethird protrusion being circumferentially-spaced from the firstprotrusion, the second protrusion, and the fourth protrusion; and (ii)the third protrusion being vertically spaced from only two of the firstprotrusion, the second protrusion, and the fourth protrusion.
 5. Afilter cartridge according to claim 2 wherein: (a) the closed endcapdefines a first neck, the first neck defining a through-channelarrangement; (i) the closed endcap seal member being oriented on anouter radial surface of the first neck on one side of thethrough-channel arrangement; and (ii) the closed endcap second sealmember being oriented on an outer radial surface of the first neck on asecond side of the through-channel arrangement; and (b) a second filtermedia construction operably oriented to cover the through-channelarrangement.
 6. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 furtherincluding: (a) first and second cover gripper members with spacedflexible projections each having a bead, projecting from the closedendcap.
 7. A method of installing a filter cartridge into a top loadfilter assembly; the method comprising: (a) orienting a filter cartridgehaving a tubular construction of filter media into an open mouth of afilter housing; the filter housing defining a base at an end opposite ofthe mouth; the base defining an inlet and outlet arrangement; (i) thefilter housing having an inner filter support mounted therein; (ii) thefilter housing further having a core piece within the inner filtersupport; the core piece holding a basket; (b) while orienting, pushingthe filter cartridge against the basket to disengage the core piece andthe inner filter support; (c) after disengaging, axially moving both thefilter cartridge and the core piece relative to the inner filtersupport; and (d) operably orienting a service cover over the mouth.